Name: Thelonious Himself
Brand: Thelonious Monk

Bonus disc

Bonus disc: No

Catalogue number

IMT5061408.1

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Colour

Colour details

Discogs ID

Format multiplier

Download code

Download code: No

Rough Trade Exclusive

Rough Trade Exclusive: No

Extended format

Extended format: No

Format detail

Spain Import, 180 Gram, Bonus Track

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Format Music US

Limited edition

Release date

2022-04-17

Signed copies

Signed copies: No

Supplier US

Tax rate US

Sales:8.875

UPC / Barcode

8436559460545

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Total Cap

Artist

Thelonious Monk

Genre US

Jazz

Label US

Wax Time

Thelonious Monk was an American jazz pianist and composer, born on October 10, 1917 in Rocky Mount, North Carolina. He is widely recognized as one of the most influential pianists of the twentieth century and a key figure in the development of bebop. Monk's unique improvisational style and prolific compositions have left a lasting impact on the jazz genre. Known for his dissonant harmonies, angular melodic twists, and unconventional approach to the piano, he created music that was both innovative and captivating.

In addition to his musical talents, Monk had a distinct fashion sense with his signature suits, hats, and sunglasses. His stage presence was equally unconventional; often getting up from his piano to dance while his band members continued playing. This idiosyncratic behavior drew comparisons to ring-shout and Muslim Sufi whirling. Notably, Monk is one of only five jazz musicians to be featured on the cover of Time magazine.

Thelonious Monk passed away on February 17, 1982 at the age of 64 in Weehawken, New Jersey. He leaves behind a remarkable legacy as an artist who pushed boundaries and redefined jazz music through his groundbreaking compositions and performances.

On each of his first three recordings for Riverside, Thelonious Monk included a solo piano presentation, and for many listeners, these were the highlights of each recital. And so it was decided that Monk's fourth Riverside recording, Thelonious Himself, would be composed entirely of solo interpretations; well, almost. Like a great actor finding heretofore obscure layers of meaning in a familiar soliloquy, Monk takes familiar themes such as "April in Paris," "I Should Care," and "Almost Alone" and distills them down to a single essence. Where most pianists would simply expand upon the tune (or employ the chord changes as a showcase for their own variations), Monk keeps everything focused on thematic materials. For his final selection, "Monk's Mood," the pianist insisted on adding bassist Wilbur Ware and an up-and-coming tenor saxophonist named John Coltrane. By allowing them to italicize and expand upon his basslines and lead melody, Monk enabled listeners to zero in on the essence of his solo and ensemble styles.

Thelonious Himself

Music US