It finally happens! After cancellations earlier this year, the T.S. Monk Quartet performs Friday in the Garde's Oasis Room.

The son of Thelonious Monk, whose polymath fingers and space-explorer's brain made him one of the most influential and unique jazz artist's ever, T.S. had an incredible legacy to follow.

But Monk the Younger's pursuit of music has been successful and rewarding. A respected drummer, teacher and composer, T.S. Monk started his career playing in his father's trio before leading his own Billboard-charting R&B group.

After his father passed, T.S. started the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz - nurturing young person's musical and athletic programs - and returned to jazz as his own bandleader. His 1998 album, "Monk On Monk," won the prestigious Downbeat Reader's Poll, and his most recent record is called "Crosstalk."

- RICK KOSTER

T.S. Monk Quartet, 8 p.m. Friday, Oasis Room, Garde Arts Center, 325 State St., New London; $43; (860) 444-7373, gardearts.org.