Blue Like Monk is a short and charming encore or opener rubbing shoulders with a jazz great and carries dual dedications. As the title suggests, it pays tribute to one of my favorite jazz artists, Thelonious Monk, whose music has been a constant source of inspiration. The piece also honors my teacher, William Albright, who passed away the year before I composed this work. His passion for the creative process and his gift for inspiring sly, fresh ideas remain a lasting influence on me.