Peter Maxwell Davies
English composer and conductor (1934-2016)
Thelonious Monk was a pioneering American jazz pianist and composer who revolutionized the genre with his unique, dissonant, and highly percussive playing style. He left an indelible mark on jazz, contributing numerous iconic compositions and becoming one of the most recorded jazz artists of all time.
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About the Thelonious Monk
Thelonious Sphere Monkwas an American jazz pianist and composer. He had a unique improvisational style and made numerous contributions to the standard jazz repertoire, including “‘Round Midnight”, “Blue Monk”, “Straight, No Chaser”, “Ruby, My Dear”, “In Walked Bud”, and “Well, You Needn’t”. Monk is the second-most-recorded jazz composer after Duke Ellington.
Monk’s compositions and improvisations feature dissonances and angular melodic twists, often using flat ninths, flat fifths, unexpected chromatic notes together, low bass notes and stride, and fast whole tone runs, combining a highly percussive attack with abrupt, dramatic use of switched key releases, silences, and hesitations.
Monk’s distinct look included suits, hats, and sunglasses. He also had an idiosyncratic habit during performances: while other musicians continued playing, Monk would stop, stand up, and dance for a few moments before returning to the piano.
Monk is one of five jazz musicians to have been featured on the cover of Time (the others being Louis Armstrong, Dave Brubeck, Duke Ellington, and Wynton Marsalis).
Frequently Asked Questions
Thelonious Monk was born on October 10, 1917.
Thelonious Monk composed several jazz standards, including ,’Round Midnight,, ,Blue Monk,, ,Straight, No Chaser,, ,Ruby, My Dear,, ,In Walked Bud,, and ,Well, You Needn’t,.
Thelonious Monk’s playing style featured dissonances, angular melodic twists, flat ninths, flat fifths, unexpected chromatic notes, low bass notes, and fast whole tone runs, which combined a percussive attack with dramatic pauses and hesitations.
Thelonious Monk had a unique stage presence, often wearing suits, hats, and sunglasses, and during performances, he would sometimes stop playing and stand up to dance for a few moments before returning to the piano.
Thelonious Monk is one of only five jazz musicians to have been featured on the cover of Time magazine, the others being Louis Armstrong, Dave Brubeck, Duke Ellington, and Wynton Marsalis.
Thelonious Monk was an American jazz pianist and composer who had a unique and highly influential improvisational style, making numerous contributions to the standard jazz repertoire and becoming one of the most recorded jazz composers after Duke Ellington.
Thelonious Monk’s compositions and improvisations were known for their dissonances, angular melodic twists, and unconventional use of harmonies, which helped to revolutionize and expand the boundaries of jazz music.
9 Quotes by Thelonious Monk
- 1.
All musicians are subconsciously mathematicians.
Thelonious MonkAmerican jazz pianist and composer (1917-1982)
- 2.
I can shoot pool, and I can play ping-pong. I’m pretty good at those games.
Thelonious MonkAmerican jazz pianist and composer (1917-1982)
- 3.
We have two kids, my wife and myself.
Thelonious MonkAmerican jazz pianist and composer (1917-1982)
- 4.
I never though much about race.
Thelonious MonkAmerican jazz pianist and composer (1917-1982)
- 5.
I don’t know what other people are doing – I just know about me.
Thelonious MonkAmerican jazz pianist and composer (1917-1982)
- 6.
Everybody in all countries tries to play jazz.
Thelonious MonkAmerican jazz pianist and composer (1917-1982)
- 7.
I’d go stupid collecting and counting my money.
Thelonious MonkAmerican jazz pianist and composer (1917-1982)
- 8.
I guess, you know, if I didn’t make it with the piano, I guess I would’ve been the biggest bum.
Thelonious MonkAmerican jazz pianist and composer (1917-1982)
- 9.
Be-bop wasn’t developed in any deliberate way.
Thelonious MonkAmerican jazz pianist and composer (1917-1982)