Thelonious Monk Profile
Wednesday November 5, 2008
With all this talk about Thelonious Monk Competitions and Thelonious Monk Festivals, I thought it was time to add a profile of Thelonious Monk the pianist.
Read my profile of this unorthodox, unclassifiable jazz legend. And while you're bingeing on his music, check out the Orrin Keepnews reissue of Monk Himself on Concord Records. Originally recorded in 1957 on Riverside Records, this CD features intimate, contemplative, and humorous playing; what Keepnews refers to as "undiluted Monk."
Image Courtesy of Concord Music Group
Comments
Thanks for the great suggestion. I absolutely love Thelonius Monk, no one can touch him on the piano, truly. Even named my cat after him. Call him TM and he is very dignified with such a name.
jh
Dear Jacob,
Nice entry on Monk! My name is Peter Ricci, and I am a college and writer who is currently contributing to an upstart online magazine called ‘Too Shy to Stop,’ which focuses on culture and the arts.
I came across your entry, as it would turn out, while conducting research for an essay on Monk! I specifically look at the history and characteristics behind Monk, and argue that he personified all of the grandest traditions of jazz as an American art form.
So, check it out and leave a comment! I think you’ll enjoy it, and I always love to read input from readers.
Sincerely,
Peter Ricci