Episode 49:: Thelonious Monk pt 1

Thelonious Sphere Monk, b. 10/10/1917, is one of the most distinct figures in all of jazz, and despite his humble origins and initial discrediting by much of the jazz world, he is today universally counted among the greatest piano players and composers ever - regardless of genre. His tunes - which were at first so unusual as to be outright rejected, and once accepted, so dreaded for their high degree of difficulty - have become an enormous part of the imperative jazz song book.

A man derided as having no technique prior to his 30s, he became well-known only in his 40s, and by his early 50s enjoyed a degree of fame paralleled in jazz only by Louis Armstrong, Miles Davis, Benny Goodman and Duke Ellington.

To suggest that Monk was a nebulous character suggests a void - a lack of information explaining why his music and his life appear at first glance so unique. But information abounds - both biographical and audio records - yet his eclecticism remains paramount even 20+ years after his passing.

Clearly, we all need to listen to more Monk. Now we can.

Audio

Playlist

1. Thelonious Monk - Four in One - Genius of Modern Music, vol. 1
2. Monk - Well, You Needn't - Genius of Modern Music, vol. 2
3. Monk - Bye-Ya - Prestige, Complete Thelonious Monk
4. Monk - Nice Work if You Can Get it - Genius of Modern Music, vol. 1
5. Monk - Tea for Two - The Unique Thelonious Monk
6. Monk - Bemsha Swing - Brilliant Corners
7. Monk - Off Minor - Monk's Music
8. Thelonious Monk & Gerry Mulligan - I Mean You - Mulligan Meets Monk
9. Thelonious Monk & John Coltrane - Blue Monk - at Carnegie Hall
10. Thelonious Monk & John Coltrane - Epistrophy - at Carnegie Hall
11. Thelonious Monk & Art Blakey - Rhythm-a-ning - Blakey & Monk

WSRP:: Monk, Monk, Monk, Goose!