Thelonious Sphere Monk
A great bandleader, composer and pianist is no other than the infamous Thelonious Sphere Monk. Thelonious was born in the Rocky Mountain, North Carolina October 10, 1917. Starting playing the piano at the age of five, Thelonious had the experience to experiment with a lot of sound and technique that he later used in his recording days. In his career he was referred to, as being crazy and nutty because he had a different vision on music. 1944 he worked briefly with Cootie Williams Orchestra when Williams recorded Thelonious’s Epistrophy and the original Round Midnight, which is one of his best pieces. His music was to advance for them back in the early forties. Throughout his career Thelonious was isolated from the Jazz world until he was the regular piano player for Coleman Hawkins. Thelonious compose music throughout the years and finally in 1956-1957 he was performing at the Five Spot and he used the quarter that featured John Coltrane (tenor-sax). It was then that Thelonious Monk was recognized for his unique sound. The late fifties the public was ready for a new sound and Thelonious Monk was there with that sound. In 1962 he signed with Columbia and two years later he was on the cover of Time magazine. 1973 he retired from the world of music and in mid seventies until death some say that he lived in seclusion. February 17, 1982 he passed away. Thelonious Monk was more famous dead than alive in the music industry as in tributes. After is death there was many tributes and many version of the world-renowned tone of Round Midnight.
Amy Alexander
Bio written by: Alleycat |
|
Facebook
Twitter
Add to Profile
Add to station