Thelonious Monk

Thelonious Monk

bebop, cool jazz, hard bop, jazz, stride piano

United States

About

Sound in a sentence: "Monk's music features angular melodies and playful syncopations that create a rhythmic tension, punctuated by spacious silences that compel attention."
Thelonious Monk matters not just for his role in the development of jazz, but for how he reshaped the very vocabulary of music through his playful yet profound exploration of harmony and rhythm. His contributions carved out a space where improvisation met composition, influencing countless musicians to embrace both the cerebral and visceral aspects of their art.
Thelonious Monk matters not just for his role in the development of jazz, but for how he reshaped the very vocabulary of music through his playful yet profound exploration of harmony and rhythm. His contributions carved out a space where improvisation met composition, influencing countless musicians to embrace both the cerebral and visceral aspects of their art. Monk’s unique approach transformed listening practices, encouraging audiences to not only hear but also feel the intricacies of dissonance and syncopation. Monk’s process was defined by an intuitive grasp of musical space; he often employed unexpected pauses and off-kilter phrasing that challenged conventional forms. This intentional use of silence and irregularity created a tension that pushed players to respond in real time, fostering a dynamic interplay between structure and spontaneity. His piano performances became dialogues rather than mere showcases, inviting fellow musicians to engage with him on a deeply collaborative level. In his songwriting, Monk frequently navigated themes of introspection and human experience, using a distinct voice that blended both humor and melancholy. His tunes often evoke vivid imagery and emotional resonance, eschewing narrative clarity for impressionistic snapshots that allow listeners to inhabit the moment. The balance between irony and sincerity in his work provides a rich tapestry that reflects the complexity of life itself.

Discography

61 releases 61 studio 1951–2020
Type: |

Albums ()

Palo Alto

Palo Alto

2020

Les Liaisons Dangereuses 1960

Les Liaisons Dangereuses 1960

2017

Paris 1969

Paris 1969

2013

Live at the 1964 Monterey Jazz Festival

Live at the 1964 Monterey Jazz Festival

2007

The Complete 1957 Riverside Recordings

The Complete 1957 Riverside Recordings

2006

Thelonious Monk with Steve Lacy in Philadelphia 1960

Thelonious Monk with Steve Lacy in Philadelphia 1960

2006

Monk in Paris: Live at the Olympia

Monk in Paris: Live at the Olympia

2003

At Newport 1963 & 1965

At Newport 1963 & 1965

2002

The Transformer

The Transformer

2002

Straight No Chaser

Straight No Chaser

1989

Thelonious Monk: The Complete Riverside Recordings

Thelonious Monk: The Complete Riverside Recordings

1986

Live! At the Village Gate

Live! At the Village Gate

1985

Blues Five Spot

Blues Five Spot

1984

Always Know

Always Know

1979

Thelonious Monk 1963 in Japan

Thelonious Monk 1963 in Japan

1977

Something in Blue

Something in Blue

1972

Sonny Rollins and Thelonious Monk

Sonny Rollins and Thelonious Monk

Live at the Jazz Workshop

Live at the Jazz Workshop

Big Band and Quartet in Concert

Big Band and Quartet in Concert

Live in Stockholm

Live in Stockholm

Thelonious Monk Plays

Thelonious Monk Plays

Monk ’Round the World

Monk ’Round the World

Bremen 1965

Bremen 1965

Thelonious

Thelonious

Monk in Copenhagen

Monk in Copenhagen

Mønk

Mønk

Live at the Five Spot: Discovery!

Live at the Five Spot: Discovery!

Thelonious Monk Blue Note Sessions

Thelonious Monk Blue Note Sessions

Thelonious Monk at the Blackhawk

Thelonious Monk at the Blackhawk

Thelonious Monk Nonet Live in Paris 1967

Thelonious Monk Nonet Live in Paris 1967

Live at the It Club

Live at the It Club

Misterioso

Misterioso

Underground

Underground

1968

Monk's Blues

Monk's Blues

1968

Straight, No Chaser

Straight, No Chaser

1967

Monk in France

Monk in France

1966

Solo Monk

Solo Monk

1965

It's Monk's Time

It's Monk's Time

1964

Monk

Monk

1964

Monk in Tokyo

Monk in Tokyo

1963

Monk's Dream

Monk's Dream

1963

Criss Cross

Criss Cross

1963

Thelonious Monk in Italy

Thelonious Monk in Italy

1963

Thelonious Alone in San Francisco

Thelonious Alone in San Francisco

1959

5 by Monk by 5

5 by Monk by 5

1959

The Thelonious Monk Orchestra at Town Hall

The Thelonious Monk Orchestra at Town Hall

1959

Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers with Thelonious Monk

Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers with Thelonious Monk

1958

Misterioso

Misterioso

1958

Thelonious in Action

Thelonious in Action

1958

Thelonious Monk/Sonny Rollins

Thelonious Monk/Sonny Rollins

1957

Thelonious Himself

Thelonious Himself

1957

Mulligan Meets Monk

Mulligan Meets Monk

1957

Brilliant Corners

Brilliant Corners

1957

The Unique

The Unique

1956

Thelonious Monk Plays Duke Ellington

Thelonious Monk Plays Duke Ellington

1955

Monk

Monk

1954

Thelonious Monk and Sonny Rollins

Thelonious Monk and Sonny Rollins

1954

Thelonious Monk Trio

Thelonious Monk Trio

1954

Solo 1954/Piano Solo

Solo 1954/Piano Solo

1954

Genius of Modern Music: Volume 2

Genius of Modern Music: Volume 2

1952

Genius of Modern Music: Volume 1

Genius of Modern Music: Volume 1

1951

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