His compositions and playing style are uniquely his and his alone.
Thelonious Monk was a pivotal figure in the history of jazz, using dissonance as an asset rather than a mistake. As for that smart-guy stuff, well, Ryan’s got you covered there in the following graf. And this storied piano player, composer and band leader had me hooked from the first time I heard Brilliant Corners and took a deep dive into his work. But for me, until I decide to go back to school and take music theory classes (not happening!), it’s all about the feel. If I was educated enough as a jazz listener and not just a pleb who unabashedly loves the genre, I’d go on as long as my editors would let me about Monk and the best albums in his discography. What about something where, yes, the music is fantastic but the cover art is also awesome? Oh shit has Monk ever got you covered.
How about a record where he gets kind of out there and practices minimal restraint? No problem. Want something relatively easy to digest and straightforward? He’s got you. Like any jazz legend with a pretty lengthy career, Thelonious Monk’s catalogue is absolutely brimming with rock-solid choices for listeners of all kinds.
0 kommentar(er)
