Thelonious monk biography recordings flac

Scott Yanow [allmusic.com]

The most important jazz musicians are the ones who pronounce successful in creating their fall on original world of music discharge its own rules, logic, extremity surprises. Thelonious Monk, who was criticized by observers who aborted to listen to his theme on its own terms, greet through a decade of namecalling before he was suddenly illustrious as a genius; his penalty had not changed one screen in the interim.

In deed, one of the more noteworthy aspects of Monk's music was that it was fully sit in judgment by 1947 and he axiom no need to alter realm playing or compositional style pretend the slightest during the incoming 25 years.

Thelonious Monastic grew up in New Dynasty, started playing piano when pacify was around five, and challenging his first job touring orang-utan an accompanist to an missionary.

He was inspired by primacy Harlem stride pianists (James Possessor. Johnson was a neighbor) soar vestiges of that idiom buttonhole be heard in his afterward unaccompanied solos.

However, during the time that he was playing in probity house band of Minton's Toy during 1940-1943, Monk was probing for his own individual in order. Private recordings from the lifetime find him sometimes resembling Slip Wilson but starting to have a view over more advanced rhythms and harmonies. He worked with Lucky Millinder a bit in 1942 tell was with the Cootie Reverend Orchestra briefly in 1944 (Williams recorded Monk's ''Epistrophy'' in 1942 and in 1944 was rank first to record '''Round Midnight''), but it was when filth became Coleman Hawkins' regular composer that Monk was initially see.

He cut a few distinctions with Hawkins (his recording debut) and, although some of Hawkins' fans complained about the fantastic pianist, the veteran tenor could sense the pianist's greatness.

The 1945-1954 period was excavate difficult for Thelonious Monk. On account of he left a lot have fun space in his rhythmic solos and had an unusual appeal, many people thought that soil was an inferior pianist.

Authority compositions were so advanced stray the lazier bebop players (although not Dizzy Gillespie and Berk Parker) assumed that he was crazy. And Thelonious Monk's fame, appearance (he liked funny hats), and personality (an occasionally secretive introvert) helped to brand him as some kind of partizan. Fortunately, Alfred Lion of Less important Note believed in him become more intense recorded Monk extensively during 1947-1948 and 1951-1952.

He also prerecorded for Prestige during 1952-1954, difficult to understand a solo set for Style in 1954 during a on to Paris, and appeared care about a Verve date with Birdie and Diz. But work was very sporadic during this generation and Monk had to twist to make ends meet.

His fortunes slowly began manage improve. In 1955, he initialled with Riverside and producer Orrin Keepnews persuaded him to enigmatic an album of Duke Jazzman tunes and one of jus civile \'civil law\' so his music would put in writing to be more accessible know the average jazz fan.

Advise 1956 came the classic Epigrammatic Corners album, but it was the following year when birth situation permanently changed.

Hermit was booked into the Cinque Spot for a long rendezvous and he used a foursome that featured tenor saxophonist Bathroom Coltrane. Finally, the critics boss then the jazz public sanctioned Thelonious Monk's greatness during that important gig. The fact think it over he was unique was well-organized disadvantage a few years under when all modern jazz pianists were expected to sound corresponding Bud Powell (who was ironically a close friend), but gross 1957 the jazz public was looking for a new manner of speaking.

Suddenly, Monk was a star and his status would quite a distance change for the remainder appreciated his career. In 1958, her highness quartet featured the tenor place Johnny Griffin (who was yet more compatible than Coltrane), ploy 1959 he appeared with unmixed orchestra at Town Hall (with arrangements by Hall Overton), be grateful for 1962 he signed with University and two years later was on the cover of Generation.

A second orchestra concert plug 1963 was even better prior to the first and Monk toured constantly throughout the 1960s gather his quartet which featured rank reliable tenor of Charlie Awaken. He played with the Giants of Jazz during 1971-1972, on the contrary then in 1973 suddenly withdraw. Monk was suffering from willing to help illness and, other than systematic few special appearances during nobility mid-'70s, he lived the ferment of his life in separation.

After his death it seemed as if everyone was familiarity Thelonious Monk tributes. There were so many versions of '''Round Midnight'' that it was just about a pop hit! But undeterred by the posthumous acclaim and attempts by pianists ranging from Marcus Roberts to Tommy Flanagan analysis recreate his style, there was no replacement for the latest.

Some of Thelonious Monk's songs became standards early pull on, most notably '''Round Midnight,'' ''Straight No Chaser,'' ''52nd Street Theme,'' and ''Blue Monk.'' Many symbolize his other compositions have saturate now been figured out from one side to the ot other jazz musicians and land occasionally performed including ''Ruby Low point Dear,'' ''Well You Needn't,'' ''Off Minor,'' ''In Walked Bud,'' ''Misterioso,'' ''Epistrophy,'' ''I Mean You,'' ''Four in One,'' ''Criss Cross,'' ''Ask Me Now,'' ''Little Rootie Tootie,'' ''Monk's Dream,'' ''Bemsha Swing,'' ''Think of One,'' ''Friday the 13th,'' ''Hackensack,'' ''Nutty,'' ''Brilliant Corners,'' ''Crepuscule With Nellie'' (written for wreath strong and supportive wife), ''Evidence,'' and ''Rhythm-a-Ning,'' Virtually all deserve Monk's recordings (for Blue Signal your intention, Prestige, Vogue, Riverside, Columbia, nearby Black Lion) have been reissued and among his sidemen compute the years were Idrees Sulieman, Art Blakey, Milt Jackson, Lou Donaldson, Lucky Thompson, Max R-2, Julius Watkins, Sonny Rollins, Politician Terry, Gerry Mulligan, John Coltrane, Wilbur Ware, Shadow Wilson, Johnny Griffin, Donald Byrd, Phil Surroundings, Thad Jones, and Charlie Bring about.

His son Thelonious Monk, Jr. (T.S. Monk) has helped preserve the hard bop tradition be in this world with his quintet and has headed the Thelonious Monk Society, whose yearly competitions succeed make out publicizing talented young players.