Pianist/Composer Thelonious Monk: "Monk's Music"

Tonight's Jazz Feature is one of Monk's most powerful musical statements on record. It was recorded by an especially assembled septet with Gigi Gryce on alto saxophone, Ray Copeland on trumpet and Coleman Hawkins and John Coltrane on tenor saxophones. Wilbur Ware on bass was Monk's favorite at this time and on drums was Monk's great friend an most sympathetic drummer, Art Blakey. Gryce helped Monk voice some of the arrangements and the musical happenings are astounding. On this album Monk looks forward by looking back. All the compositions are early ones except for the beautiful "Crepuscule With Nellie", written for Monk's devoted wife. In this piece there is no improvisation and it is a fully realized composition. "Monk's Music" is one of his most significant dates from his most creative period in the mid 50s. Listen here!