Originally from Seattle, Staaf has become a fixture in the New York City and, through her connections with Allison Miller, Todd Sickafoose, and Jenny Scheinman and teaching at the Stanford Jazz Workshop, Staaf became engrained in the deep Bay Area jazz scene. // Bay Area concert promotor and producer Mark Weiss invited Staaf to propose a project to record with Bay Area musicians. Staaf suggested a recording exploring the commonalities between Monk and Williams. Staaf wanted to imagine a conversation between the two piano greats, figuring the best way to approximate this would be to perform their pieces in duos with some incredible and supportive musicians. // To fulfill her goal, Staaf reached out to Bay musicians she had developed relationships with. Trumpeter Ambrose Akinmusire taught alongside Staaf at the Stanford Jazz Workshop, while clarinetist Ben Goldberg was introduced by Scheinman. Allison Miller was integral in some of the connections, including trumpeter Darren Johnston and percussionists Dillon Vado and John Santos, whom Staaf met through gigs with Miller or from teaching at Jazz Camp West where Miller is the artistic director. Finally, Staaf met drummer Hamir Atwal during their involvement in a North Indian dance and jazz collaboration entitled Speak. // The recording was made over two sessions at 25th Street Recording in Oakland, California in September 2024. Staaf and company recorded a collection of Monk and Williams tunes, eventually settling on five pieces from the two pianists along with two Staaf originals inspired by their work.