Name: Essential Works 1952 – 1962
Brand: Thelonious Monk

Bonus disc

Bonus disc: No

Catalogue number

MOJ124

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Colour

Black

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

Format Music GB

Limited edition

Release date

2022-06-24

Signed copies

Signed copies: No

Supplier GB

Tax rate GB

Standard:20

UPC / Barcode

3760300318157

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Total Cap

2 / Extended format: No / LP / Rough Trade Exclusive: No / Signed copies: No / black

Artist

Thelonious Monk

Genre GB

Jazz

Label GB

Masters of Jazz

Masters of Jazz is a renowned music label that has been making waves in the industry since 1991. Originally starting as a series of releases by Media 7, the label transitioned into an independent entity in 1999 when it was acquired by [l478019].

With a focus on jazz CD reissues, Masters of Jazz has consistently delivered high-quality releases that showcase the best of this genre. Each CD features a similar layout and proudly bears the mention "A collection directed by Christian Bonnet," ensuring that listeners can expect curated excellence.

It's important to note that there are other series with similar titles associated with Masters of Jazz. The mid-80s LP series on Storyville should be attributed to [l1270665], while the more recent CD series can be found under [l795308]. Additionally, vinyl enthusiasts will appreciate the vinyl series released via the [l1277275] label.

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.

Thelonious Sphere Monk was unique as a composer and instrumentalist, a New York spirit formed and matured in the heart of the city where his family had lived since he was four years old. A cosmopolitan capital like New York, in the throes of becoming the centre of the world, did not form spirits in the same way as a midsized Midwestern city does.

From the beginning of his youngest days as a jazz musician, Monk was treading a unique personal path. At twenty he was already outside the norm, and by the Forties he’d been christened the “high priest of bebop.” But he’d already moved elsewhere, taking a road that nobody knew. No sooner had he played a part, with distinction, in the evolution of bebop (without earning the recognition he deserved) than he strayed from that path to find another that nobody could identify, for the obvious reason that he did not recycle the recipes developed by bebop musicians. To him, they belonged to the past, even if that bebop was still too obscure for a large majority of white jazz fans. 

What Monk wanted was to explore the new lands of music. He wanted to play a unique jazz for the public, and offer people his music; not in the comfort of the tried and tested formula, but through discovery, creation and invention. Monk was on a permanent quest for a new aesthetic. 

A great number of jazz musicians rightly consider him the foremost of their kind.

Essential Works 1952 – 1962

Music GB