Thelonious Sphere Monk, born on October 10th, 1917, in Rocky Mount, North Carolina, stands as one of the most innovative and idiosyncratic figures in the annals of jazz. Monk was primarily a pianist, but his compositions and improvisational style were hugely influential, contributing to the bebop revolution and beyond. Known for his unique improvisational rhythms, dissonant harmonies, and a distinctive approach to the piano, Monk's music created a new vocabulary in jazz which resonates to this day.

By the mid-1940s, Monk was a fixture at the renowned Minton’s Playhouse in New York, a crucible for the bebop movement where he played with other jazz giants such as Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie. His recording career blossomed in the late 40s and reached various peaks throughout the 50s and 60s. Although Monk's music was sometimes considered too challenging for mainstream audiences, he recorded a remarkable body of work that sustained his career, including albums like "Genius Of Modern Music Volume One." His body of work has continually been rediscovered and celebrated, with posthumous releases like "Les Liaisons Dangereuses 1960" and live recordings like "Paris 1969" providing a vivid documentation of his enduring artistry. Thelonious Monk remains a towering figure in modern music; his influence stretches far and wide, touching pianists, composers, and listeners with his genius.

Genres

Bebop

Contemporary Post-bop

Jazz

Jazz Piano

Jazz Trio

Related Artists

Bill Evans

Herbie Hancock

John Coltrane

McCoy Tyner

Charles Mingus

Art Blakey

Bud Powell

Ahmad Jamal

Horace Silver

Miles Davis

Oscar Peterson

Dave Brubeck

Latest Release

Late Night Thelonious Monk

Thelonious Monk

Album - 36 Tracks - Released February 3, 2024