Thelonious Monk (1917-1982)
Misterioso (1948)
Criss-Cross (1951)
Thelonious Sphere Monk (October 10, 1917 - February 17, 1982) was an American jazz pianist and composer.
Widely considered one of the most important musicians in jazz, Monk had a unique improvisational style and made numerous contributions to the standard jazz repertoire.
Often regarded as a founder of bebop, Monk's playing style later evolved away from that form.
Nicknamed "Melodious Thunk" by his wife Nellie, his compositions and improvisations are full of dissonant harmonies and angular melodic twists, and are impossible to separate from Monk's unorthodox approach to the piano, which combined a highly percussive attack with abrupt, dramatic use of silences and hesitations.
[8917 Gillespie / 8917 T. Monk / 8915 Willie Dixon]