Thelonious Monk
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Born: October 10, 1917 in Rocky Mount, North Carolina
Died: February 17, 1982 in Englewood, New Jersey
Died: February 17, 1982 in Englewood, New Jersey
Monk is known for his improvisational talent as well as use of complex and
dissonant harmonies and unusual intervals and rhythms. Monk was influenced by
musicians such as Duke Ellington, James Johnson, and early stride pianists. Monk
made his first recordings in 1944 with the Coleman Hawkins Quartet. Monk made
his first recordings as leader of Blue Note in 1947 that included his compositions.
Monk was one of the most prolific of jazz composers. He influenced the route
that many jazz musicians were to take. His modern jazz style has influenced
musicians such as George Russell, Randy Weston, and Cecil Taylor. Monk was
posthumously awarded a Pulitzer Prize for Music, “Special Citation” in 2006.
dissonant harmonies and unusual intervals and rhythms. Monk was influenced by
musicians such as Duke Ellington, James Johnson, and early stride pianists. Monk
made his first recordings in 1944 with the Coleman Hawkins Quartet. Monk made
his first recordings as leader of Blue Note in 1947 that included his compositions.
Monk was one of the most prolific of jazz composers. He influenced the route
that many jazz musicians were to take. His modern jazz style has influenced
musicians such as George Russell, Randy Weston, and Cecil Taylor. Monk was
posthumously awarded a Pulitzer Prize for Music, “Special Citation” in 2006.
Little is known about Monk’s early
childhood years. He grew up in
Rocky Mount, North Carolina and
started playing the piano at age
six and was largely self-taught. In
1922 Monk’s family moved to
Manhattan where he attended
Stuyvesant High School but did
not graduate.
Thelonious Monk has been called
the founder of bebop with classic
works such as “Round Midnight”
and “Blue Monk.” Monk’s
influence on the growth of bebop
began in the early 1940s while
playing piano at Minton’s Play
House in New York City. His
musical style while playing at
Minton’s Play House has been
described as “hard-swinging.”
childhood years. He grew up in
Rocky Mount, North Carolina and
started playing the piano at age
six and was largely self-taught. In
1922 Monk’s family moved to
Manhattan where he attended
Stuyvesant High School but did
not graduate.
Thelonious Monk has been called
the founder of bebop with classic
works such as “Round Midnight”
and “Blue Monk.” Monk’s
influence on the growth of bebop
began in the early 1940s while
playing piano at Minton’s Play
House in New York City. His
musical style while playing at
Minton’s Play House has been
described as “hard-swinging.”
Straight No Chaser