In honor of Thelonious Monk on his 103rd birthday

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"Blue Monk," Live in Stockholm 1961
Thelonious Monk - piano
Charlie Rouse - tenor saxophone
Larry Gales - bass
Ben Riley - drums

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1. Monk orchestra in rehearsal and concert

- from the film Straight No Chaser

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2. Thelonious Monk, American Composer

Part 1 of a documentary on Thelonious Monk:

Note - At 5:27, the tune they're playing is mis-identified as "Bye-Ya." It is, in fact, "Nutty."

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3. "Ba-Lue Bolivar Ba-Lues-Are," live in Japan, 1963

[callous taoboy]

4. One of my favorite musicians.

Robin D.G. Kelley's biography on the man is superb.

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5. Yes!

Very interesting bio, for sure. Kelley provides a lot insight into Monk’s life, including the importance of his extended family in encouraging and supporting him to continue his remarkable career against all odds.

I read yesterday that Monk’s compositions are the second-most played of all jazz composers, after only Duke Ellington’s. He found new harmonies, new melodic patterns, new possibilities. Thelonious Monk’s influence on modern music is far-reaching and profound.

[callous taoboy]

6. I used to listen to WBGO when I was working:

I was continually amazed at how many artists cover Monk. He was an essential part of my musical upbringing.