Thelonious Monk
bebop, cool jazz, hard bop, stride piano
"Monk's music features angular melodies and playful syncopations that create a rhythmic tension, punctuated by spacious silences that compel attention."
Quick Start
A good place to start with Thelonious Monk is…
Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers with Thelonious Monk
1958
Career Arc
Thelonious Monk's discography from 1951 to 2025
Full discography
Thelonious Monk's albums in order, from earliest releases to latest.
Albums ()
Bremen 1965
2025
Palo Alto
2020
Mønk
2018
Les Liaisons Dangereuses 1960
2017
Paris 1969
2013
Live at the 1964 Monterey Jazz Festival
2007
The Complete 1957 Riverside Recordings
2006
Thelonious Monk with Steve Lacy in Philadelphia 1960
2006
Monk ’Round the World
2004
Monk in Paris: Live at the Olympia
2003
At Newport 1963 & 1965
2002
The Transformer
2002
Monk in Copenhagen
1996
Live at Newport 1958 & 1963
1994
Live at the Five Spot: Discovery!
1993
Straight No Chaser
1989
Thelonious Monk Nonet Live in Paris 1967
1988
Live in Stockholm
1987
Thelonious Monk: The Complete Riverside Recordings
1986
Live! At the Village Gate
1985
Blues Five Spot
1984
Live at the Jazz Workshop
1982
Live at the It Club
1982
Always Know
1979
Thelonious Monk 1963 in Japan
1977
Something in Blue
1972
Sonny Rollins and Thelonious Monk
Thelonious Monk Plays
Thelonious
Thelonious Monk Blue Note Sessions
Underground
1968
Monk's Blues
1968
Straight, No Chaser
1967
Monk in France
1966
Solo Monk
1965
Misterioso
1965
Big Band and Quartet in Concert
1964
It's Monk's Time
1964
Monk
1964
Monk in Tokyo
1963
Monk's Dream
1963
Criss Cross
1963
Thelonious Monk in Italy
1963
Thelonious Monk at the Blackhawk
1960
Thelonious Alone in San Francisco
1959
5 by Monk by 5
1959
The Thelonious Monk Orchestra at Town Hall
1959
Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers with Thelonious Monk
1958
Misterioso
1958
Thelonious in Action
1958
Thelonious Monk/Sonny Rollins
1957
Thelonious Himself
1957
Mulligan Meets Monk
1957
Brilliant Corners
1957
The Unique
1956
Thelonious Monk Plays Duke Ellington
1955
Monk
1954
Thelonious Monk and Sonny Rollins
1954
Thelonious Monk Trio
1954
Solo 1954/Piano Solo
1954
Genius of Modern Music: Volume 2
1952
Genius of Modern Music: Volume 1
1951
No releases match the current filters.
Timeline
How their sound evolved over time
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Thelonious Monk sound like?
Monk's music features angular melodies and playful syncopations that create a rhythmic tension, punctuated by spacious silences that compel attention. Rooted in bebop and hard bop. Start with Thelonious Himself.
What is the best Thelonious Monk album to start with?
The best album to start with is "Thelonious Himself" (1957). It's the most representative of what makes Thelonious Monk worth hearing.
Who is Thelonious Monk for?
If you're into bebop and hard bop, Thelonious Monk is worth your time. Monk's music features angular melodies and playful syncopations that create a rhythmic tension, punctuated by spacious silences that compel attention.
How many albums does Thelonious Monk have?
Thelonious Monk has 62 releases in their discography, including 62 albums.
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