Monk is King

Monk is King is a funkadelic genre-crossing jam jazz rock group from Fayetteville, AR who have come to be known for their high energy and playful performances across the Northwest Arkansas region and beyond. They combine tactile and relatable songwriting with tight compositions while also adding touches of group and solo improvisation that provide engaging twists and turns to their live experience. 

Formed originally in the summer of 2017 in a hot un-air conditioned practice room at the University of Arkansas, the group played around the area in this format before eventually filling becoming the quartet they are known and loved for today, consisting of McCormick Carlson (vocals/guitar), Ashton Mcquay (keyboards), Julius Kwanza (drums/vocals), and the Bill Smylie (bass). 

Since the conception in the area the band has shared bills with such acclaimed local, regional, and national  acts such as Groovement, The 1 oz. Jig, Deep Sequence, and others as well as become a staple at the renown music venue George’s Majestic Lounge. 

2020 was such a hard year on live music and performing and with many dates, both in and out of town lined up pre-pandemic, Monk is King continued to move forward and progress despite many of the challenges of the times. Having been involved as performers in the many of Deepwood Media’s livestreams of the pandemic, Monk is King has been able to continue to grow their name as a band and come into their own as a member of the Northwest Arkansas music community.