One of the most unique and influential figures in jazz was born this week 100 years ago. Inside Out celebrates what would be the 100th birthday of Thelonious Monk.
Thelonious Monk circa 1947. Photo: Wikicommons
Monk's distinctive piano style was developed during his time at Minton's in New York, when he participated in after-hours jam sessions with leading jazz musicians of the time.
His work at Minton's and developing style was a part of the jazz movement known as bebop whose most famous exponents included Dizzy Gillespie, Charlie Parker and Miles Davis.
Monk made his first recordings in 1947 for Blue Note, a label he stayed with until 1952.
During his career he composed numerous jazz standards including ‘Straight, No Chaser’, Well, You Needn't’, ‘Ruby, My Dear’, ‘Blue Monk’ and perhaps his most famous tune ‘Round Midnight’.
Monk’s deceptively simple playing style used discordance, space and unconventional harmonies and rhythms.
Thelonious Monk (piano) Charlie Rouse (tenor sax) Larry Gales (bass) and Ben Riley (drums) play ‘Round Midnight’ in Norway in 1966:
Thelonious Monk (2)
Part 2 of Inside Out's appreciation of Thelonious Monk includes 'Straight No Chaser', 'Pannonica', and 'Monk's Dream'. Audio
Music Details
Johnny Griffin and Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis Quintet
In Walked Bud
Monk
Lookin' at Monk
Jazzland
Thelonious Monk with john Coltrane
Ruby My Dear
Monk
Thelonious Monk with john Coltrane
Thelonious Monk with john Coltrane
Misterioso
Monk
Complete Live at the Five Spot 1958
Lone Hill Jazz
Steve Lacy
Bye-Ya
Monk
Reflections
Prestige
Steve Lacy
Let's Call This
Monk
Reflections
Prestige
Thelonious Monk
Round Midnight
Monk
The Complete Riverside Recordings
Riverside
Thelonious Monk Trio
I Mean You
Monk
Thelonious Monk Trio
Riverside
Sphere
Well You Needn't
Monk
Sphere on Tour
Red
