Pianist /composer Thelonious Monk: "Five By Monk By Five"

The music of Thelonious Monk is tonight's Jazz Feature subject and a fine album from June of 1959 that spotlights the Monk working quartet with tenor saxophonist Charlie Rouse, bassist Sam Jones and the always swinging Arthur Taylor on drums. However there is a worthy addition to the Quartet which gives us the album title. That addition is cornetist Thad Jones who adds much musical spice to Monk's Quartet. If there is anyone who could have been added to Monk's working band it would be Thad. However this was a one shot recording date as Thad had a coveted position in the Count Basie Orchestra and had a little time off from Basie to do this date. The compositions are a mix of old and new all by Monk of course. Two new ones written for the date are "Played Twice" and "Jackie--ing" and the older ones are "Straight, No Chaser", "Ask Me Now" and "I Mean You". Thad in this writer's opinion is the star of the date and adapts so well to Monk's music. "Five By Monk By Five" is the Jazz Feature tonight.