Monktet History
Saxophonist/composer/arranger/educator John Magruder
was active on the Los Angeles music scene for over forty years. He was
a mentor to dozens of students who went on to make a life in music, and a
great influence on hundreds more young people in his years at University High School.
A longtime player (on baritone sax) as well as an arranger for Don Ellis' challenging and
groundbreaking jazz big band of the 1960's and 1970's, John somehow found time to work in the Hollywood recording studios, appear at jazz clubs and festivals, and entertain at social and corporate events, all the while employed as a full-time high school music teacher.
Highly knowledgeable in all musical styles, John's first love was
jazz. For almost thirty years, he led the 18-piece "Magruder Machine" big band, with his wife Joy as music copyist and contractor. For most of that time, the band rehearsed nearly every Wednesday night in the large living room of the Magruder home (once a part of LA's historical Chandler holdings). The band featured compositions and arrangements from John, as well as contributions from like-minded writers such as David Angel, Milcho Leviev, Dave Wells and Bobby Harmon, in many jazz styles - from straight ahead, to early jazz/rock fusion; from the odd-time charts John composed and recorded for Ellis ("Zim") to humerous titles (Harmon's "The Philosopher Is Stoned").
Many of the luminaries of the LA studio and jazz scenes passed through the band, a tribute to John's skills and to his ability to attract like-minded players. Joy's natural love of people also made her a natural band contractor. All the cats came and played, and few ever refused the homemade cookies and punch that Joy wisely provided. The music and the conversation were always on the highest level on Wednesday mights; puns, ribaldry, affectionate put-downs were all tolerated and even encouraged.
Many of John's Unihi students became his friends and professional associates. A phone call from John, or a conversation on a gig or record date was often responsible for a former student's first great gig, first big break or first major tour. He shared not only his professional guidance, but his personal largesse: several of his students were married under the olive tree in his back yard. It seemed John and Joy's home was always open for a quick arranging tip or a Sunday wedding ceremony.
John enjoyed a full musical life, playing with large and small ensembles from classical woodwind quartets to jazz trios. After years of leading his big band, he wanted a simpler vehicle for his writing and playing. The Monktet was spun off from the Machine with players from the larger ensemble (which contiued as before). The Monktet made an unreleased recording and played a few dates in the Los Angeles area.
Unfortunately, John's health declined a few years after his retirement from teaching, and he passed away in 2003. While he was ill, he asked Joy to find a way to revive the Monktet. Band members have contributed new arrangements of both Monk and Magruder compositions, and Wednesday evenings have once again become music nights at the comfortable old house in Sherman Oaks, where the conversation (and the punch) flow as before.
Beast of all, the Monktet is once again performing frequently with many of the original players as well as some great new additions. Everyone still wants to play the Music of Monk and Magruder.
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