How would you describe Thelonious Monk?

His playing was percussive and sparse, often being described as “angular,” and he used complex and dissonant harmonies and unusual intervals and rhythms. Monk’s music was known for its humorous, almost playful, quality. He was also one of the most prolific composers in the history of jazz.

What made Thelonious Monk special?

Thelonious Monk is one of the greatest jazz musicians of all time and one of first creators of modern jazz and bebop. Many of his compositions have become jazz standards, including “Well, You Needn’t,” “Blue Monk” and “Round Midnight.” His spares and angular music had a levity and playfulness to it.

Why is Thelonious Monk famous?

If you listen to jazz, you are familiar with the work of Thelonious Monk. Famous for his style in both music and wardrobe, the American pianist and composer is the second most recorded jazz artist after Duke Ellington. In1954, Monk became one of five jazz musicians to ever be on the cover of Time Magazine.

Is Thelonious Monk schizophrenic?

You make a very strong case for your conclusion that Monk was a manic-depressive. The diagnoses in his medical records range from schizophrenia to, eventually, what we know today as bipolar disorder.

Did Thelonious Monk go crazy?

For example, Monk often has been portrayed as eccentric, but Kelley says Monk actually suffered from bipolar disorder. Monk sometimes was portrayed as primitive, but Kelley says Monk possessed an impressive knowledge of and appreciation for Western classical music, gospel music, American popular songs, and art songs.

When did Thelonious Monk lose his cabaret card?

After having his cabaret card revoked three times between 1948 and 1958, Thelonious Monk, facing “chronic unemployability and financial hardship,” Chinen writes, was forced to perform out of town in cities without cabaret laws or unbilled within the outskirts of NYC boroughs or even under an alias, Ernie Washington.

Is Thelonious Monk married?

Nellie Smithm. 1949–1982
Thelonious Monk/Spouse

Where was Thelonious Monk born and where was he raised?

Thelonious Sphere Monk was born on October 10, 1917, in Rocky Mount, North Carolina. The first musical sounds he heard were from a player piano that his family owned.

How old was Thelonious Monk when he started playing piano?

Thelonious Sphere Monk was born on October 10, 1917, in Rocky Mount, North Carolina. The first musical sounds he heard were from a player piano that his family owned. At the age of five or six he began picking out melodies on the piano and taught himself to read music by looking over his sister’s shoulder as she took lessons.

Is there a documentary about Thelonious Monk?

A documentary film titled ‘Thelonious Monk: Straight, No Chaser’ was made in 1988, which discussed his end years and mental illness in detail. His son explained in the movie how Monk did not talk to people for days and then suddenly got excited for a few days and then become a recluse again.

When did Thelonious Monk join the house band?

Although it was typical to play for a big band at this time, Monk preferred a more intimate work dynamic that would allow him to experiment with his sound. In 1941, Monk began working at Minton’s Playhouse in Harlem, where he joined the house band and helped develop the school of jazz known as bebop.

How would you describe Thelonious Monk? His playing was percussive and sparse, often being described as “angular,” and he used complex and dissonant harmonies and unusual intervals and rhythms. Monk’s music was known for its humorous, almost playful, quality. He was also one of the most prolific composers in the history of jazz. What made…