Thelonious Monk: "Monk's Music"

A seminal album recorded in June of 1957 by Thelonious Monk and an all-star septet. It stands as one of Monk's greatest and most significant recordings. Creativity and intense playing abounds and despite a few minor flaws has many fine moments rarely captured in any recording studio. The four horns are Monk choices: Trumpeter Ray Copeland, a Monk favorite. Alto saxophonist Gigi Gryce had worked in some of Monk's infrequent gigs and was a reliable advisor on the session. Two major tenor saxophonists in the persons of John Coltrane and one of Monk's mentors, "the father of the tenor saxophone", Coleman Hawkins. On bass was Wilbur Ware who was working steadily with Monk at the time. On drums was Monk's great friend and the one drummer who fully understood Monk's concepts, Art Blakey. All in all here is "Monk's Music"....tonight's Jazz Feature in honor of the Birthday Anniversaries of Monk and Blakey.