TheloniousMonkTimeline

1917.T heloniousMonkwasbornonOctober10,1917inRockyMount,NorthCarolina.Hisbadlywrittenbirth
certificatemisspelledhisfirstnameas"Thelious"or"Thelius".Italsodidnotlisthismiddlename,takenfromhis
maternalgrandfather,SphereBatts.

1921.Whenhewasjustfour,hisparents,BarbaraandThelonious,Sr.,movedto243West63rdStreet,in
Manhattan,NewYorkCity,wherehewouldspendthenextfivedecadesofhislife.

1928.Monkbeganstudyingclassicalpianowhenhewaselevenbuthadalreadyshownsomeaptitudeforthe
instrument."IlearnedhowtoreadbeforeItooklessons,"helaterrecalled."Youknow,watchingmysisterpractice
herlessonsoverhershoulder."

1930.BythetimeMonkwasthirteen,hehadwontheweeklyamateurcompetitionattheApolloTheatersomany
timesthatthemanagementbannedhimfromreenteringthecontest.

1934.Atageseventeen,MonkdroppedoutoftheesteemedStuyvesantHighSchooltopursuehismusiccareer.He
touredwiththesocalled"TexasWarhorse,"anevangelistandfaithhealer,beforeassemblingaquartetofhisown.
Althoughitwastypicaltoplayforabigbandatthistime,Monkpreferredamoreintimateworkdynamicthatwould
allowhimtoexperimentwithhissound.

1941.Atagetwentyfour,MonkbeganworkingatMinton'sPlayhouseinHarlem,wherehejoinedthehousebandand
helpeddeveloptheschoolofjazzknownasbebop.AlongsideCharlieParkerandDizzyGillespie,heexploredthe
fast,jarring,andoftenimprovisedstylesthatwouldlaterbecomesynonymouswithmodernjazz.MuchofMonk's
stylewasdevelopedduringhistimeatMinton's,whenheparticipatedinafterhours"cuttingcompetitions"which
featuredmanyleadingjazzsoloistsofthetime.Monkisbelievedtobethepianistfeaturedonseveralofthe
recordingsJerryNewmanmadearound1941attheclub.Monk'sstyleatthistimewaslaterdescribedas
"hardswinging,"withtheadditionofrunsinthestyleofArtTatum.Monk'sstatedinfluencesincludedDukeEllington,
JamesP.Johnson,andotherearlystridepianists.
MidnightatMinton'sisa1941albumbyjazzmusicianDonByas.Itisaliverecordingofajamsessionat
Minton'sPlayhouse,thefamousNewYorknightclubatwhichtheemergingstyleofbebopwasbeing
pioneered.
ItfeaturesoneoftheearliestknownrecordingsofTheloniousMonk,whowasthenplayingpianoinMinton's
houseband.ThealbumistakenfromprivaterecordingsmadebyColumbiaUniversitystudentJerry
Newmanonaportableacetatediscrecorder.Newmanmadetherecordingsfor"DelayedonDisc"
broadcastsoncollegeradiostationWKCRthediscswererushedbacktotheradiostudioshortlyafter
beingcutandpresentedinthestyleofalivebroadcastfromthevenue.
DonByasMidnightAtMinton's(1941)
DonByas(ts),JoeGuy(tr),TheloniousMonk(p),KennyClarke(d),HelenHumes(v)

Stardust
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mUe1c6X2Nbo

"So,theboppersworkedoutamusicthatwashardtosteal.I'llsaythisforthe'leeches',though:theytried.
I'veseentheminMinton'sbusilywritingontheirshirtcuffsorscribblingonthetablecloth.Andevenourown
guys,I'mafraid,didnotgiveMonkthecredithehadcoming.Why,theyevenstolehisideaoftheberetand
bopglasses."MaryLouWilliams

1944.M
onkmadehisfirststudiorecordingswiththeColemanHawkinsQuartet.Hawkinswasoneoftheearliest
establishedjazzmusicianstopromoteMonk,andMonklaterreturnedthefavorbyinvitingHawkinstojoinhimonthe
1957sessionwithJohnColtrane.

ColemanHawkinsQuartet(NewYorkCity,October19,1944)
ColemanHawkins(ts)TheloniousMonk(p)Edward"Bass"Robinson(b)DenzilBest(d)

Recollections
DriftingonaReed
FlyinHawk
OntheBean
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJUfF8OtEzRVOyzwR83G6T4SO6Ka0vMb

TheloniousMonkTimeline

1947.MonkmarriedNellieSmith,hislongtimesweetheart.Theylaterhadtwochildren,whomtheynamedafter
Monk'sparents,TheloniousandBarbara(BooBoo).

1947.Monkdidn'trecordunderhisownname,however,until1947,whenheplayedastheleaderofasextetsession
forBlueNote(lateranthologisedonGeniusofModernMusic,Vol.1)whichshowcasedhistalentsasacomposerof
originalmelodiesforimprovisation.
BlueNoteRecords(19481952)
GeniusofModernMusic:Volume1(1947BlueNoterecordings)
GeniusofModernMusic:Volume2(July23,1951andMay30,1952BlueNoterecordingsessions)

19471952.MonkmadeatotaloffiveBlueNoterecordingsbetween1947and1952,including"CrissCross"and
"Evidence."ThesearegenerallyregardedasthefirstworkscharacteristicofMonk'suniquejazzstyle,which
embracedpercussiveplaying,unusualrepetitionsanddissonantsounds.AsMonksawit,"Thepianoain'tgotno
wrongnotes!"Thoughwidespreadrecognitionwasstillyearsaway,Monkhadalreadyearnedtheregardofhispeers
aswellasseveralimportantcritics.isthenamegiventoatleastfourdifferentcompilationalbumsbyjazzpianist,
TheloniousMonk.EachversioncomprisessomeofMonk'srecordingsasabandleaderforBlueNote,recorded
between1947and1952(or,inthecaseoftheCDs,just19512).TheoriginalLPwiththistitlewascompiledin1952.
TwodifferentCDcompilationshavebeengiventhistitle.Bothredistributethematerialfromthetwovolumesinavery
differentorder.TheindividualvolumesofbothCDcompilationsomitaJuly2,1948sessionfeaturing"Evidence,"
"Misterioso,""Epistrophy,""IMeanYou,""AllTheThingsYouAre,"and"IShouldCare",whichwerereleasedona
MiltJacksoncompilationinstead.A"monochromecover"2CDsetcalled"TheCompleteGenius"followsthetrack
orderoftheoriginalmonochromeCDs,butaddsall10releasedBlueNoteperformancesofthesemissing6titles
betweenthecontentsof"Volume1"and"Volume2."
InAugust1951,NewYorkCitypolicesearchedaparkedcaroccupiedbyMonkandfriendBudPowell.Thepolice
foundnarcoticsinthecar,presumedtohavebelongedtoPowell.Monkrefusedtotestifyagainsthisfriend,sothe
policeconfiscatedhisNewYorkCityCabaretCard.Withouttheallimportantcabaretcardhewasunabletoplayin
anyNewYorkvenuewhereliquorwasserved,andthisseverelyrestrictedhisabilitytoperformforseveralcrucial
years.Monkspentmostoftheearlyandmid1950scomposing,recording,andperformingattheatersand
outoftowngigs.

1952.MonksignedacontractwithPrestigeRecords,whichyieldedpieceslike"SmokeGetsInYourEyes"and
"Bags'Groove."Thelatter,whichherecordedwithMilesDavisin1954,issometimessaidtobehisfinestpianosolo
ever.
PrestigeRecordsandVogue(19521954)
TheloniousMonkTrio(Prestige7027),19524
Monk(Prestige7053)recorded19534
TheloniousMonkandSonnyRollins(Prestige7075),recorded19534
Solo1954/P
ianoSolo(DisquesVogue,1954)firstsolopianoalbum,recordedinParis

1955.BecauseMonk'sworkcontinuedtobelargelyoverlookedbyjazzfansatlarge,Prestigesoldhiscontractto
RiversideRecordsin1955.There,heattemptedtomakehisfirsttworecordingsmorewidelyaccessible,butthis
effortwaspoorlyreceivedbycritics.
BythetimeofhissigningtoRiverside,Monkwashighlyregardedbyhispeersandbysomecritics,buthisrecords
remainedpoorsellers,andhismusicwasstillregardedastoo"difficult"formoremainstreamacceptance.Indeed,
withMonk'sconsent,RiversidehadmanagedtobuyouthispreviousPrestigecontractforamere$108.24.He
willinglyrecordedtwoalbumsofjazzstandardsasameansofincreasinghisprofile:TheloniousMonkPlaysthe
MusicofDukeEllington(1955)andTheUniqueTheloniousMonk(1956).
OntheLPBrilliantCorners,recordedinlate1956,Monkmainlyperformedhisownmusic.Thecomplextitletrack,
whichfeaturedtenorsaxophonistSonnyRollins,wassodifficulttoplaythatthefinalversionhadtobeeditedtogether
frommultipletakes.Thealbum,however,waslargelyregardedasthefirstsuccessforMonkaccordingtoOrrin
Keepnews,"Itwasthefirstthatmadearealsplash."
RiversideRecords(19551961)
TheloniousMonkPlaystheMusicofDukeEllington(1955)
TheUniqueTheloniousMonk(1956)
BrilliantCorners(1956recordingwithSonnyRollinsandClarkTerry)
TheloniousHimself(1957)

TheloniousMonkTimeline

Monk'sMusic(1957)
MulliganMeetsMonk(1957,withGerryMulligan)
TheloniousinActionandMisterioso(1958,liveattheFiveSpotwithJohnnyGriffin)
TheTheloniousMonkOrchestraatTownHall(1959,CharlieRousejoinedthebandthen)
5byMonkby5(1959)
TheloniousAloneinSanFrancisco(1959)
TheloniousMonkattheBlackhawk(1960,withCharlieRouse)
TheloniousMonkwithJohnColtrane(1957recordings,1961issue)InductedintotheGrammyHallof
Famein2007.
MonkinFrance(recordedin1961)
TheloniousMonkinItaly(recorded1961,released1963)
TheloniousMonkQuartetLiveattheFiveSpot:Discovery!(withColtranerecorded1957,releasedin
1993onBlueNote)
TheloniousMonkQuartetwithJohnColtraneatCarnegieHall(1957,released2005onBlueNote.)
TheComplete1957RiversideRecordings(2006collectionofthe1957studiorecordingswithColtrane)

1956.Notcontenttopanderineffectivelytoanonexistentaudience,Monkturnedapagewithhis1956album,Brilliant
Corners,whichisusuallyconsideredtobehisfirsttruemasterpiece.Thealbum'stitletrackmadeasplashwithits
innovative,technicallydemanding,andextremelycomplexsound,whichhadtobeeditedtogetherfrommany
separatetakes.WiththereleaseoftwomoreRiversidemasterworks,TheloniousHimselfandTheloniousMonkwith
JohnColtrane,Monkfinallyreceivedtheacclaimhedeserved.

1957.Afterhavinghiscabaretcardrestored,MonkrelaunchedhisNewYorkcareerwithalandmarksixmonth
residencyattheFiveSpotCafeinNewYorkbeginninginJune1957,leadingaquartetwithJohnColtraneontenor
saxophone,WilburWareonbass,andShadowWilsonondrums.However,littleofthisgroup'smusicwas
documentedduetocontractualproblems.ColtranewassignedtoPrestigeatthetime,butMonkrefusedtoreturnto
hisformerlabel.OnestudiosessionbythequartetwasmadeforRiverside,threetuneswhichwerenotreleaseduntil
1961bythesubsidiarylabelJazzlandalongwithouttakesfromalargergrouprecordingwithColtraneandsaxophone
pioneerColemanHawkins,thoseresultsappearingin1957asthealbumMonk'sMusic.Anamateurtapefromthe
FiveSpot(nottheoriginalresidency,butalaterSeptember1958reunionwithColtranesittinginforJohnnyGriffin)
wasissuedonBlueNotein1993andarecordingofthequartetperformingataCarnegieHallconcertonNovember
29,previously"rumouredtoexist,"wasrecordedinhighfidelitybyVoiceofAmericaengineers,rediscoveredinthe
collectionoftheLibraryofCongressin2005,andreleasedbyBlueNote

OnOctober15,1958e nroutetoaweeklongengagementforthequartetattheComedyClubinBaltimore,
Maryland,MonkanddeKoenigswarterweredetainedbypoliceinWilmington,Delaware.WhenMonkrefusedto
answerthepolicemen'squestionsorcooperatewiththem,theybeathimwithablackjack.Thoughthepolicewere
authorizedtosearchthevehicleandfoundnarcoticsinsuitcasesheldinthetrunkoftheBaroness'scar,Judge
ChristieoftheDelawareSuperiorCourtruledthattheunlawfuldetentionofthepair,andthebeatingofMonk,
renderedtheconsenttothesearchvoidasgivenunderduress.

Quartet1,JohnColtrane(ts),WilburWare(b),ShadowWilson(d)1957
Quartet2,JohnnyGriffin(ts),AhmedAbdulMalik(b),RoyHaynes(d)1958
Quartet3,CharlieRouse(ts),JohnOre(b),FrankieDunlop(d)1962
Quartet4,CharlieRouse(ts),LarryGales(b),BenRiley(d)1964

1962.M
onk'srelationshipwithRiversidehadsouredoverdisagreementsconcerningroyaltypaymentsandhad
concludedwithabraceofEuropeanlivealbumshehadnotrecordedastudioalbumsince5byMonkby5inJune
1959.Afterextendednegotiations,Monksignedin1962toColumbiaRecords,oneofthebigfourAmericanrecord
labelsofthedayalongwithRCAVictor,Capitol,andDecca.

ColumbiaRecords(19621968)
Monk'sDream(1963)
CrissCross(1963)
MonkinTokyo(1963)
Miles&MonkatNewport(1963,withunrelated1958MilesDavisperformance)
BigBandandQuartetinConcert(1963)
It'sMonk'sTime(1964)
Monk(1964)
SoloMonk(1964)

TheloniousMonkTimeline

LiveattheItClub(1964)
LiveattheJazzWorkshop(1964)
Straight,NoChaser(1967)
Underground(1968)
Monk'sBlues(1968)

1964.MonkbecameoneoffourjazzmusiciansevertogracethecoverofTimeMagazine.

FarEastRecords(1970)
MonkinTokyo(1970,live,withPaulJeffreyts,LarryRidleyb,LennyMcBrowned)

1971.Theyearsthatfollowedincludedseveraloverseastours,butbytheearly1970s,Monkwasreadytoretirefrom
thelimelightsaveforhis1971recordingsatBlackLionRecordsandtheoccasionalappearanceattheLincoln
CenterorCarnegieHall,Monkspenthisfinalyearslivingquietlyinseclusion.

BlackLionRecords(1971)
SomethinginBlue,NiceWorkinLondon,BlueSphereandTheManILove(all1971recordings,
collectedinTheLondonCollection1988,threeindividualCDs)

1982.Afterbattlingseriousillnessforseveralyears,hepassedawayfromastrokein1982.

Recordingsasasideman

WithArtBlakey
ArtBlakey'sJazzMessengerswithTheloniousMonk(Atlantic,1958)
TheGiantsofJazz(Atlantic,1971)
WithMilesDavis
Bags'Groove(Prestige,1954)
MilesDavisandtheModernJazzGiants(Prestige,1954)
WithColemanHawkins
BeanandtheBoys(Prestige,1944)
WithMiltJackson
WizardoftheVibes(BlueNote,1948)
WithSonnyRollins
MovingOut(Prestige,1954)
SonnyRollins,Vol.2(BlueNote,1957)
WithGigiGryce
Nica'sTempo(Savoy,1955)
WithClarkTerry
InOrbit(Riverside,1958)

MonksCompositions

BelowisalistofallknownoriginalcompositionsbyTheloniousMonk.Afewhaveneverbeenrecordedandtherefore
maynotbefamiliartoMonkfans.CopyrightdatesgiveusanapproximatedateastowhenMonkmighthave
composedtheseworks,butitisimpossibletoknowforsure.Furthermore,Monkscompositionsarelegendaryfor
havingalternatetitles.AllofMonksmusiciscopyrightedbyTheloniousMusicCorp.,administeredbySecondFloor

TheloniousMonkTimeline

Music.MusiciansandanyoneinterestedinlearningmoreaboutMonksmusicshouldconsulttheexcellent
TheloniousMonkFakeBook,editedbyDonSickler(HalLeonard2002).

AskMeNowFirstrecordedJuly23,1951(BlueNote1591),thisisregardedasoneofMonksmostbeautifulballads,
alongwithMonksMood,Ruby,MyDear,CrepusculewithNellie,andPannonica.(WemightalsoincludeRound
Midnight,exceptthatheoftenplayeditatamediumtempo.)JonHendricksaddedlyricsandtitleditHowIWish.At
leastthreeartistsrecordedthesongwithHendricksslyrics.

BalueBolivarBaluesAre(akaBolivarBlues)FirstrecordedOctober9,1956(RiversideLP12226)Thetitle
referstotheHotelBolivarinManhattan,thenthehomeoftheBaronessNicadeKoenigswarter.

BemshaSwingCowrittenDenzilBest,itwassometimesreferredtoasBimshaSwingandevenrecordedunder
thattitlebytrombonistJ.J.Johnso.MonkfirstrecordedBemshaSwingonDecember18,1952(PrestigeLP7027).
BluehawkThissolopianoblueswasonlyrecordedonce,onOctober22,1959,inSanFrancisco(Riverside
RLP12312)

BlueMonkMonkrecordedBlueMonkmorethananyothercompositionbesidesRoundMidnight.Hisfirst
recordingdatesbacktoSeptember22,1954(PrestigePRLP189LP7027).AbbeyLincolnaddedlyricsandrecorded
itunderthetitleMonkerystheBlues.MonkhimselfwassummonedtothestudiotohearLincolnsversionandtoget
hisblessings.Heapproved.

BluesFiveSpot(akaFiveSpotBlues)FirstrecordedJuly9,1958(MilestoneM9124,RiversideRIV4005/5),the
titlereferstotheFiveSpotCaf,whereMonkwasplayingwhenherecordedthissongforthefirsttime.Itwas
originallylocatedatFiveCooperSquareintheEastVillage,untilitmovedtoThirdAvenueandEast7thSt.1962.
GiacomoGatesaddedlyricsandrecordeditasFiveCooperSquare.Thetitlereferstotheaddressoftheoriginal
FiveSpotCaf.

BlueSphereAmediumtempo,classictwelvebarbluesforsolopiano,BlueSpherewasrecordedonlyonce,on
November15,1971,duringasessioninLondon(BlackLionBLP30119).Ifanything,itisatributetoJellyRollMorton
andallthegreatstridepianistsoftheoldbarrelhouseandrentpartytradition.TheLondonsessions,whichalso
includedAlMcKibbon(bass)andArtBlakey(drums),wouldprovetobeMonkslaststudiorecordingsasaleader.

BooBoosBirthdayRecordedonlyonce,onDecember21,1967(ColumbiaCS9632),Monkwrotethissongforhis
daughterBarbara,whosenicknamewasBooBoo.

BrakesSakeFirstrecordedonOctober15,1955(SignalS1201),withaquartetledbyaltosaxophonistGigiGryce.
BrightMississippifirstrecordedonMay10,1961(Ingo8)ataconcertinBerne,Switzerland.Itisacompletely
originalmelodybasedlooselyonthechordchangesofSweetGeorgiaBrown.

BrilliantCornersFirstrecordedonOctober15,1956(RiversideRLP12226),thiscompositionprovednotoriously
difficultforMonksband,whichincludedSonnyRollins(tenor),ErnieHenry(alto),OscarPettiford(bass),andMax
Roach(drums).Aftertwentyfiveattempts,thefinalrecordedversionconsistedofpartsofvarioustakesspliced
together.Itwasrecordedonlyoneothertime,onNovember20,1968,withOliverNelsonsOrchestra(Columbia
CS9806).

ByeyaFirstrecordedonOctober15,1952(Prestige795LP7027),itisuniqueforitsCaribbeaninflectedrhythms.

ChildrensSong(akaThatOldMan)RecordedonceonOctober7,1964,itisMonkishlyalteredversionofthe
traditionalditty,ThisOldMan,alsoknownasTheChildrensMarchingSong.

ChordiallyRecordedonlyonceinLondononNovember15,1971(BlackLionCD760142),itisnotacomposition,per
se,butaverymusicalandcoherentimprovisedwarmupexerciseonsolopiano.Itwasnotreleasedontheoriginal
LPbecauseitwasnotconsideredtobeasong.ButjustabouteverythingMonkplayspossessesthequalityofa
completecomposition.
ComingontheHudsonFirstrecordedonFebruary25,1958,atasessionledbyJohnnyGriffin(MilestonesM9124,
RiversideRIV4005/4),MonksecuredacopyrightonDecember22ndofthatyear(JazzStandardMusicPublishers).
MonklivedacoupleofblocksfromtheHudsonRiverformostofhislifeandenjoyedthesoundofthevariousboats
comingontheHudson.

CrepusculewithNellieFirstrecordedonJune25,1957(althoughthefirstreleasedtakewasrecordedthefollowing
day[RiversideRLP12242]),thisbeautifulballadisunusualinthatitishisonlycompositionplayedstraightthrough

TheloniousMonkTimeline

withoutimprovisation.Crepusculewaswrittenin1957whileNelliewasinthehospitaltoundergosurgery.Monkhad
comeupwiththetitleTwilightwithNelliebuttheBaroness,whowasatthehospitalatthetime,promptlysuggested
theFrenchwordfortwilight:crpuscule.SoesjaCitroenaddedlyricsandrecordeditasInTwilight.

CrissCrossFirstrecordedonJuly23,1951(BlueNote1590,1509),criticandcomposerGuntherSchullercalledit
theMonkmasterpieceofthisperiod.SoenthusedwithCrissCross,Schulleruseditasthebasisforhistributeto
MonktitledVariantsonaThemeofTheloniousMonk(1960).

Epistrophy(FlyRightorIambicPentameter)OneofMonksearliestcompositions,itwascowrittenwithdrummer
KennyClarkeandwentbyvariousnamesClarkecalleditFlyRightorFlyRite,itwascalledIambicPentameter,and
known,too,assimplyTheThemesinceitwasusedbyMintonsHousebandtoopenandcloseaset.Itwasfirst
recordedbytheMintonsHousebandonJune7,1941,butthefirstversionbyMonkissuedappearedonhisfirstBlue
Noterecordings(July2,1948,BlueNote548,1510).GiacomoGatesaddedlyricsandrecordeditunderKenny
Clarkestitle,FlyRite.

EronelanunusuallyboppishtuneforMonk,wascowrittenwithpianistSadikHakim(ArgonneThornton)and
trumpeterIdreesSulieman,andfirstrecordedonJuly23,1951(BlueNote1590,1509).Eronelwasnamedafter
LenoreEisner,whomSadikHakimwasdatingatthetime.Initially,neitherHakimnorSuliemanweregiven
cocomposerscredit,butsincethentheirnameshavebeenrestoredasoriginalcoauthors.

EvidenceFirstrecordedonJuly2,1948(BlueNote549,1509),itwentbyvariousnames,notablyJusticeandWe
NameditJustice.Itpunsoffofthesongonwhichitwaslooselybased,JustYou,JustMe(byJesseGreerand
RaymondKlages),whichtransformsthetitletoJustUs,whichinturnbecameJusticeandultimatelyEvidence.

FeelingThatWayNow(seeMonksMood)

52ndStreetThemeIronically,Monkneverrecorded52ndStreetTheme.AlsoknownasNameless,andsimply
TheTheme,itwaswidelyusedasavehicleforDizzyGillespiesvariousbands,amongothers.

FiveWillGetYouTen(seeTwoTimer)

FourinOneFirstrecordedonJuly23,1951(BlueNote1589),FourinOnewasknowntohaveaparticularly
treacherousmelodybuiltonsixteenthnotephrases(hencethenameaquarternote[onebeat]dividedintosixteenth
notes[fourbeats]).

FridaytheThirteenthFirstrecordedonFridaythe13th,1953,itrefersnotonlytothedaybuttheturnof
eventstenorsaxophonistSonnyRollinswasdelayedbecauseofacaraccidentandtrumpeterRayCopelandfellill
andFrenchhornvirtuosoJuliusWatkinshadtofillinatthelastminute.Theresultwasaremarkablesession,
includingaswinginginterpretationofthisdeceptivelysimplerepeatingbartheme.

FunctionalThereareactuallytwodifferentversionsofthebluesgiventhetitleFunctional,whichwasprobablyjust
anamemadeuponthespot.Bothtakeswererecordedthesameday,April16,1957,andneverrecordedagain.
Accordingtoonereport,afterhearingaplaybackofoneofhistakesofFunctional,hesaid:Well,thatsoundslike
JamesP.Johnson.Johnson,oneofthegreatHarlemstridepianists,wasoneofMonksmusicalheroes.

GallopsGallopFirstrecordedonOctober15,1955,withGigiGryceasleader.Thisincrediblycomplicatedmelody
wasonlyrecordedoneothertime,inNovemberof1964whenMonksquartetplayedattheItClubinLosAngeles.

GreenChimneysAnotheroneofMonkslatercompositions,itwasfirstrecordedonNovember14,1966,although
thisparticulartakewasnotreleaseduntil1996.Thetakethatwasreleasedinitiallywasrecordedayearlater,on
December14,1967(ColumbiaCS9632).GreenChimneysisnamedaftertheschoolBarbaraMonkattendedatthe
timeaprogressiveprivateboardingschoollocatedinPutnamCounty,NewYork.

HackensackFirstrecordedonMay11,1954(PrestigePRLP180),itwasalsothefirstdayMonkrecordedinRudy
VanGeldersfamousstudioinHackensack,NewJersey(hencethetitle).Hackensackbearssomeresemblanceto
aColemanHawkinscompositionhemusthaveplayedwhenhewaswithHawksband,andanarrangementofLady
BeGoodbyMaryLouWilliams.

HarlemisAwfulMessyCowrittenwithOranHotLipsPageandJoeGuy,thishilariousjumptune(withlyrics!)was
neverrecorded.ItwascopyrightedbythetrioonSeptember16,1941.

TheloniousMonkTimeline

HorninInRecordedonlyonetime(fourtakes),onMay30,1952,duringhislastsessionforBlueNoteasaleader.
Hissextetconsistedofanallstarlineup:KennyDorham(trumpet),LouDonaldson(alto)LuckyThompson(tenor),
NelsonBoyd(bass),MaxRoach(drums).ItfirstappearedonBlueNote1603.

HumphAnotherearlyclassic,Humphwasonlyrecordedonce(threetakes)duringMonksfirstrecordingsessionas
aleader(October15,1947).ItfirstappearedonBlueNote560.

IMeanYou(akaStickball)FirstrecordedinDecemberof1946byColemanHawkins,notMonk.Thebandincluded
FatsNavarroontrumpetandJ.J.Johnsonontrombone,andinthepianostoolwasaveryyoungHankJonesfresh
fromDetroit.ItwouldbeanotheryearandahalfbeforeMonkrecordedIMeanYou(July2,1948[BlueNote1564,
1510].JonHendricksaddedlyricsandretitleditYouKnowWho.Severalartistsrecordedthevocalversion.

Introspection(akaPlayhouse)OriginallytitledPlayhouseasatributetoMintons,thissongwasfirstrecordedfor
BlueNoteonOctober24,1947,butwasnotreleaseduntil1956!MonkwroteitduringhisassociationwithDizzy
GillespiesbigbandandWalterGilFullerwroteanarrangementofPlayhouse,butthereisnorecordoftheband
recordingit,letaloneplayingit.Itsunusualthirtysixbarstructureandwanderingchordprogressionssetitapartfrom
themusicidentifiedasbebop.

InWalkedBudFirstrecordedonNovember21,1947(BlueNote548),itwaswrittenforMonksverygoodfriend,
pianistBudPowell.ItisbasedonthechordchangesforIrvingBerlinsBlueSkies.JonHendricksaddedlyricsand
retitleditSuddenly.Severalartistsrecordedthevocalversion.

JackieingFirstrecordedonJune4,1959(RiversideRLP12305),Monknamedthissongafterhisniece,Jackie
Smith.Thissixteenbarthemeiswrittenasadynamic,processionalmarch,butafterthemelodyisstateditswings
extremelyhard.After1960,JackieingbecamearegularpartoftheMonkquartetsliverepertoire.

LetsCallThisFirstrecordedonNovember13,1953,onthatfamousFridaytheThirteenthdate(seeabove),and
releasedonPrestigePRLP166.AnotheroneofMonksremarkablecompositions,heonlyrecordeditoneothertime:
liveattheBlackhawkinSanFranciscoonApril29,1960(RiversideRLP12323).Hisquartetexpandedtoasextet
withtheadditionofJoeGordonandHaroldLand,andBillyHigginssatinonthedrums.Itisdoubtfulthatanyonehad
muchtimetorehearseLetsCallThis,whichhadnotbeenpartofthebandsrepertoire.Nevertheless,theyturnin
excellentresults.

LetsCoolOneFirstrecordedinonMay30,1952(BlueNote1602,1511),itwasprobablygiventhatnamebecause
itisarelaxed,mediumtempotunewithoutalotofintervallicleaps.ThesongsrecordedjustpriortoLetsCoolOne
werecomplex,uptempotuneslikeSkippy(threetakes)HorninIn(twotakes),andSixteen(twotakes),which
apparentlyrequiredalotmoreworkevenfromabandmadeupofbebopstopmusicians.LetsCoolOnewasdone
inonetake.SoesjaCitroenaddedlyricsandrecordeditasComeWithMe.

LightBlueThefirstrecordedevidenceofthistunecomesfromaradiobroadcastfromPepsMusicLoungein
Philadelphia,whereMonkledatrioonFebruary9,1957,consistingofJimmyBondandbassandAlbertTootie
Heathondrums.Interestingly,thefirstofficialrecordingofLightBluewasalsolive,thistimeattheFiveSpotCaf
onAugust7,1958.Itisnotabluesbutratherasixteenbarthemeplayedataslow,ploddingtempobuilton
descendingchordprogressions.

LittleRootieTootieFirstrecordedonOctober15,1952(Prestige850),wasnamedforMonksson,Thelonious,Jr.,
whowastwoyearsoldatthetime.Heearnedthenickname"Toot"after"LittleToottheTugboat"fromafavoriteWalt
DisneycartoonyoungTheloniouslearnedtowhistlelike"LittleToot"beforehelearnedtotalk.Thesonghasalso
beenassociatedwiththesoundoftherailroad,acommonmotifinbluesandjazzsincetheearlypartofthecentury.

LocomotiveFirstrecordedonMay11,1954(PrestigePRLP180),itisdefinitelyinthetraditionoftrainrecordings
goingbacktoCountBasie,Ellington,andthetrainwhistleguitarbluesoftheearlypartofthecentury.Builtonanodd
20barchorusandplayedasamediumslowtempo,rhythmicallyandmelodicallyitcapturesthemotionoftheold
steamenginessteadilychuggingdowntherailroadline.MonkonlymadeoneotherrecordingofLocomotive...
twelveyearslater(ColumbiaCL2651)

AMerrierChristmasTheonlyevidenceofMonkplayingthissongisfromaprivaterecordingmadeatthehomeof
BaronessNicadeKoenigswarteraroundDecemberof1972.ItisalsotheonlyrecordingofMonksinging.

Misterioso(sometimesspelledMysterioso)OneofMonksmostfamousbluescompositions,itwasfirstrecorded
onJuly2,1948(BlueNote1510).Themelodyisdistinctiveinthatitsbuiltoneveneighthnotesofascendingand

TheloniousMonkTimeline

descendingparallelsixths.ThemostfamousrecordingofMisteriosowasmadebySonnyRollinsandincludesboth
MonkandpianistHoraceSilvertakingturnsatthekeyboard!Rollinsssolohasbeenhailedbycriticsasa
masterpiece.AlthoughMisteriosoisnotthoughttobeaverysingablemelody,itissomusical,soperfectlybalanced
thatithasinspiredseveralvocalversionsandatleastthreedifferentsetsoflyrics:ClaudeNougaro(retitledAutourde
Minuit),JudyNiemack(retitledCrazySongtoSing),TeriRoiger(retitledListentoyourSoul),AndreMinvielle(retitled
Ounbas),aswellasachildrensbookbasedwhosepoeticstoryistoldtothemelodyandrhythmofMisterioso.The
latterisbyChrisRaschkaandistitledMysteriousThelonious.

MonksDreamFirstrecordedonOctober15,1952(Prestige850),likeByeya,thisisanotherstronglyCaribbean
flavoredcomposition.JonHendricksaddedlyricsandcalleditMan,thatwasaDream,asdidSoesjaCitroen,who
gaveitthetitleSureitCanBeDone.

MonksMoodOneofMonksearlyballads,hegaveitseveraldifferenttitlesbeforesettlingonMonksMood,(i.e.,
ThatstheWayIFeelNow,FeelingthatWayNow,WhyDoYouEvadetheFacts,andBeMerrierSarah).Hehad
conceivedofthesongwithlyrics.MonkfirstrecordedMonksMoodonNovember21,1947(BlueNote1565)
LyricswereaddedbySoesjaCitroenandrecordedunderthetitle,UnderneathThisCover.

MonksPointRecordedonlytwice,onceasasolopianopiece(November2,1964[ColumbiaCL2349])andagain
withOliverNelsonsOrchestra(November19,1968[ColumbiaCS9806]),itisafairlystraightforwardtwelvebar
bluesinBbfullofMonkssignatureminorsecondsinthemelody.

NorthoftheSunsetRecordedonlyonceonOctober31,1964,itisatwelvebarblueswhosemelodyisverycloseto
MonksPoint.ItwasalsowritteninBb.

NuttyFirstrecordedonSeptember22,1954,inatriosettingwithPercyHeath(bass)andArtBlakey(drums),Nutty
wasamongMonksmorepopulartunes.PerhapsthemostfamousrecordingofitiswithJohnColtrane,July1957
(JazzlandJLP[9]46).AfewwritershavestrangelytriedtolinkthetitletoMonksallegedstateofmind(!),butany
suchclaimsbetraysanignoranceofthehiplingooftheday.Inthe1940sand50s(andevenlater),nutty
commonlymeantexcellentorcoollikeinsane,mad,andcrazy.

OffMinor(akaWhatNow)WasactuallyfirstrecordedinJanuaryof1947,butnotbyMonk.BudPowellwasthefirst
toputOffMinoronwaxwhenhewaswithCootieWilliamssOrchestra.MonkfirstrecordeditonOctober24,1947
(BlueNote).Also,DizzyGillespiesbigbandhadintendedonusingitintheirbook.ItstandsamongMonksmore
frequentlyrecordedtunes.ItissonamedprobablybecauseitiswritteninGminorbutneverresolvesonthetonic.

OskaTFirstrecordedonDecember30,1963,duringMonksfamousTownHallconcert(Columbia),therearemany
differentstoriesincirculationexplainingthistitle.ThemostcommonisthatitisMonksimpersonationofabourgeois
Englishmansayingaskfortea.

PannonicaFirstreleasedrecordingwasmadeonOctober9,1956(RiversideRLP12226).Thesongwaswrittenfor
theBaronessPannonicadeKoenigswarter,whomMonkhadmetinParisinJuneof1954.Thisfirstrecordedversion
ofPannonicaissignificantinthatMonkplaysbothpianoandceleste.JonHendricksaddedlyricsandretitledit
LittleButterfly.

PlayedTwiceFirstrecordedonJune1,1959(RiversideRLP12305),thetitlereferstothestructureofthesong
itself.Itisarhythmicallycomplex,sixteenbarAABCthemebasedonaseriesofrepeatedphrasesorechoesthat
fallindifferentplacesinthemeter.AndlikemanyMonktunes,itbeginsinonekey(C)andendsonanother(D).

RaiseFourOnlyrecordedonce,onValentinesDay,1968(ColumbiaCS9632),Monkprobablywrotethisinthe
studio.ReminiscentofNorthoftheSunsetandMonksPoint,RaiseFourisabasictwelvebarbluesbutbuilton
Monkssignatureharmoniestheaugmentedfourth,alsoknownastheflattedfifthorthetritone.Itistheintervalthat
dividesthediatonicscaleinhalfandtendstobethemostdissonantandunstable.Ifanything,thissongisapaeanto
theaugmentedfourthhencethetitle.
Reflections(PortraitofanEremite)FirstrecordedonDecember18,1952(PrestigeLP7027),itwasnotissued
until1956.Althoughitisoftenthoughtofasaballad,Monkoriginallyplayeditatmediumtempo.Evenhissolo
versionofReflections,recordedonParisin1954(Vogue),wasdeliveredjustslightlyslowerthanhisPrestigetrio
version.ButwhenherecordeditwithSonnyRollinsin1957(BlueNote1558)perhapsthebestknownversionhe
turneditintoalovelyballad.ThedynamicinterplaybetweenMonkandRollinsonthisrecordinghasbeen
commenteduponandstudiedbycriticsfordecades.AccordingtodiscographerChrisSheridan,thealternativetitleof
PortraitofanEremitewasgivenbyFrenchproducerAndrFrancisbecausehewasntgiventhepropertitle.Eremite

TheloniousMonkTimeline

orermite,inFrench,meanshermit.JonHendricksaddedlyricsandretitleditLookingBack.Ithassincebeen
recordedbyseveralvocalists.

RhythmaningOneofMonksmostrecordedandperformedsongs,hedoesntactuallyputitonwaxunderthistitle
untilMay15,1957,atarecordingsessionledbydrummerArtBlakey(Atlantic1278).Monkcertainlymadethe
melodyhisown,butthetruthisthattheAsectionofRhythmaningcanbeheardasearlyas1936,onMaryLou
WilliamssarrangementofWalkingandSwingingtwentysixbarsintothesecondchorus.Thesamemelodicline
wasclaimedbyguitaristCharlieChristian(withwhomMonkplayedatMintonsPlayhouse)asPaginDoctorChristian
orMeetDr.Christian,byAlHaigasOpusCaprice,andbySonnyStittasSymphonyHallSwing.Indeed,onone
recordingfromMintonsin1941,MonkisidentifiedasthepianistonaversionofthesonglistedasMeetDr.Christian.
Butintheend,Monkwouldeventuallyseizeownershipofthetuneandmakeitdistinctivelyhisown.Thetitle,of
course,referencesthefactthatitisbasedonthechordchangestoGershwinsIGotRhythm,popularlyknownin
thebebopworldasrhythmchanges.JonHendricksaddedlyricsandretitleditListentoMonk.Andagain,several
vocalistsrecordedit.

RoundLightsRecordedonceonOctober21,1959,inSanFrancisco(RiversideRLP12312),RoundLightsisa
slow,twelvebarbluesforsolopiano.

RoundMidnight(akaRoundAboutMidnightandGrandFinale)CertainlythemostrecordedTheloniousMonk
songofalltime,Monkwasnotthefirsttorecordit.CootieWilliamssOrchestrarecordeditin1944anduseditas
theirthemesong.HealsotookcocomposercreditforRoundMidnightdespitenothavingcontributedanythingto
thescore.BernieHanighenaddedlyricsandsuddenlyMonkwasforcedtosharecomposercredit(androyalties)with
twootherpeople.In1946,DizzyGillespieaddedhisfamousintroductionandcadenzaforhisbigbandarrangement,
whichprovedsopopularthatMonkaddedit(albeitanalteredversion)tohisownperformanceofRoundMidnight.It
isnowastandardpartofthesong.MonkfirstrecordeditasaleaderonNovember21,1947(BlueNote543).
AlthoughHanighenslyricshavebeensungbymanyvocalistsovertheyears,RobertCraftaddedanewsetoflyrics
andrecordeditasTheNightThatMonkReturnedToHeaven.

Ruby,MyDear(akaManhattanMoods)AbeautifulballadandoneofMonksbestknowncompositions,itwas
writtenoriginallyforhisthengirlfriend,RubyRichardson.Monkwasprobablystillateenagerwhenhecomposed
Ruby,MyDear.BothSallySwisherandMikeFerrohaveaddedlyricsandretitledthesongDearRubyandItsOver
Now,respectively.

SanFranciscoHoliday(akaWorryLater)FirstrecordedonApril28,1960,attheBlackhawkinSanFrancisco
(RiversideRLP12323),MonkhadgivenitthetitleWorryLaterinitiallyasaresponsetoOrrinKeepnewssquestion
astowhattocallit.Eventually,hesettledonSanFranciscoHolidaytothefactthathisWestCoastgigprovedtobe
akindoffamilyvacation.

ShuffleBoilFirstrecordedwiththeGigiGrycequartetonOctober15,1955(SignalS1201),thesongwasthen
resurrectedin1964and,foraboutayear,becamepartofthebandsrepertoire.Withitswideintervallicleaps,
ShuffleBoilwasparticularlytreacherousfortenorsaxophonistssincethehighestnotesareoutsideofthehorns
range.SomesourcessuggestthatMonktaughtCharlieRousehowtoachievethesenotesthroughfalsefingering.

SixteenRecordedonlyonce(twotakes),attheBlueNotesessionofMay30,1952,butitwasnotreleaseduntil
manyyearslater,whenBlueNotedecidedtoissueMonkscompleterecordings.Thetitleseemedtemporaryit
referredtothesixteenbarAABAstructureofthesong,butthatiswhatMonkwroteonthesheetmusic.Acomplex,
angularmelodybasedonchordchangessimilartothoseofSonnyRollinssDoxy,itprovedaformidablechallenge
forgreatmusicianssuchasKennyDorham,LouDonaldson,andLuckyThompson.

SkippyNamedafterNelliessister,thissongwasrecordedonlyonce(threetakes),onMay30,1952(BlueNote
1602,1511).ItisarareexampleofanuptempoMonkcomposition.TheAsectionisparticularlydifficult,whichmay
explainwhythehornsonlyplaytheentiremelodyontheoutchorusandnotatthebeginning.Whateverthecase,itis
interestingtonotethatMonkneverreturnedtothesemoreboppishtunessuchasSkippy,SixteenandHumph.
SomethinginBlueRecordedinLondononNovember15,1971(BlackLionBLP30119),anotherclassic,slow,solo
bluesplayedinMonksunorthodoxstridepianostyle.

Straight,NoChaserRecordedJuly23,1951(BlueNote1589,1511),itisonlythesecondbluesMonk
recordedMisteriosobeingthefirst.LikeMisterioso,Straight,NoChaserisnotlikeotherbluesinthatthemelody
breakswiththetypicalfourbarphrasingandextendsbeyondthebarline.ItisalsotheonlybluesherecordedinF
(allothers,includingafewversionsofStraightNoChaser,areinBb).Ithasbecomeatruestandardinjazz
repertoire.SallySwisheraddedlyricsandrecordeditunderthetitleGetitStraight.

TheloniousMonkTimeline

StuffyTurkeyFirstrecordedonJanuary30,1964(ColumbiaCL2184),thisMonkoriginalisfrequentlyconfusedwith
ColemanHawkinssandSirCharlesThompsonsStuffy.Althoughbothsongsarebasedonrhythmchanges,the
melodiesarequitedifferent.BudPowellalsoacknowledgesMonksauthorshipofStuffyTurkeyinahomerecording
ofitinParisinFebruaryof1964,justtwoweeksafterMonktookitintothestudioforColumbiarecords.Thesehome
recordings,atributetoMonksmusic,weremadearoundthetimeofMonksEuropeantour.

TeoFirstrecordedonMarch9,1964(ColumbiaCL2291),TeowaswrittenforMonksproduceratthetime,Teo
Macero.BasedonEddieDurhamsTopsyafavoritebackinthedaysofMintonsPlayhouserecastasSwingto
BopitshouldnotbeconfusedwithMilesDavissSpanishtingedTeo,whichhewroteforMaceroin1961.Macero
alsoproducedMilesatColumbiarecords.

TheloniousFirstrecordedonOctober15,1947(BlueNote542),itisabrilliantexampleofMonksuseofostinato(a
shortphraserepeatedthroughoutacomposition).Basedonthereiterationofasinglenote(Bb)playedover
descendingchordprogressions,thesonghasanunusual36barAABAstructure:thesecondandlastAsections
are10measureslongratherthanthemoretraditionaleightmeasures.Theloniousiswidelyregardedasoneof
Monksclassiccompositions.

ThinkofOneFirstrecordedonNovember13,1953(theinfamousFridaytheThirteenthsession)andreleasedon
Prestige(PRLP166),ThinkofOnesharesmanyfeatureswithTheloniousnotably,Monksuseofostinato.Itisbased
ononenoterepeatedoverastoptimerhythmintheAsection,whichreleasestoaswingingbridge.ThinkofOnehas
notbeenrecordedmanytimes,norhavemanyartistsexploredthispartofMonksrepertoire.FleurineVerloppadded
lyricsandretitleditWhenIThinkofOne.

TrinkleTinkleFirstrecordedinatriosettingonDecember18,1952(Prestige838),thebestknownversionofTrinkle
TinklewasmadewithJohnColtraneinJulyof1957(JazzlandJLP[9]46).LikeWorkandFourinOne,ithasan
extremelydifficultmelodyforahornplayer(orforanyinstrumentalist,forthatmatter),repletewithsixteenthnoteruns
andveryangularphrasing.TheMonk/Coltraneversionisconsideredbymanycriticstobeamongtheessentialjazz
recordingsofalltimes.TherearemixedstoriesbehindthetitleproducerIraGitlerbelieveshemighthave
misunderstoodMonkwhomayhavesaidTwinkle,Twinkleinsteadofwhatheheard.Ontheotherhand,allthe
greatstridepianistswithwhomMonkidentifiedcalledthemselvesticklers,soitmighthavebeenaplayfulcorruption
ofthatword.Eitherway,MonkcontinuedtouseTrinkleTinklelongafterthe1952recording.

TwoTimer(akaFiveWillGetYouTen)Monkhimselfneverrecordedthiscomposition,whichheapparentlywrotein
thelate1950s.PianistSonnyClark,whoturnedtoMonkafewtimeswhenhisheroinaddictionlefthimbrokeand
virtuallyhomeless,somehowgotaholdofthemusic.EitherMonkgavehimthesong(alongwithmoney)tohelphim
getby,orClarkfounditinMonkshouse.Whateverhappened,Clarkendeduptakingcomposerscreditand
recordeditinasessionledbyaltosaxophonistJackieMcLeaninOctober1961asFivewillGetYouTen.Thefirstto
recordTwoTimerunderitsoriginaltitlewasT.S.Monk,whohaddiscoveredtheoriginalmanuscriptamonghis
fatherspapers.HisversionappearsonMonkonMonk(N2KE10017)

UglyBeautyThefirstknownrecordingofUglyBeautytookplaceonNovember14,1967,foratapedtelevision
broadcast.Exactlyonemonthlater,Monksquartetmadetheironlystudiorecordingofthissong(ColumbiaCS9632).
UglyBeautyissignificantinthatitisMonksonlycomposedwaltzhearrangedawonderfulversionofBennyDavis
andJoeBurkesCarolinaMoonin6/4timeforBlueNotein1952,butthatwastheonlyrecordedevidencewehaveof
Monkexploringwaltztime.MikeFerroaddedlyricsandrecordeditasStillWeDream.

WellYouNeedntFirstrecordedforBlueNote(549)onOctober24,1947,itisoneofMonksmostrecordedand
mostpopulartunes,andaverygoodexampleofMonkspenchantforchromaticharmonicmotion.

WeSee(akaManganese)FirstrecordedonMay11,1954(PrestigePRLP180),thebouncy,mediumtempoWeSee
hasahappymelodytheAsectionissingable.ItwasmistitledManganesewhenMonkrecordeditinFrancein
1954.Hisproduced,AndreFrancis,cameupwiththetitleasaFrenchspeakingpunonMonkatEase.And,of
course,itreferstothemineral.

WhoKnowsYetanotherBlueNoteeratunerecordedonceanddisbanded,WhoKnowsrequiredeighttakeswhenit
wasrecordedonOctober21,1947session(BlueNote1565,BNJ61011).TrumpeterGeorgeFlipTaittandalto
saxophonistSahibShihabhadadifficulttimenegotiatingthemelody,especiallyatafasttempo.

WorkOnlyrecordedonce,inatriosettingonSeptember22,1954(PrestigePRLP189),Workisadissonant,difficult,
wildmelodicridethatartistshavebeenwillingtotake.Thetitlespeaksforitself.BesidesMonksversionofWork,for

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TheloniousMonkTimeline

whichhealoneisresponsibleforstatingthemelody,oneofthefewmusicianstotakeupthechallengewassoprano
saxophonistSteveLacy,whorecordeditonhisdebutalbum(Prestige7125)inNovemberof1957.

ListcompiledandannotatedbyRobinD.G.Kelley

Resources

http://www.monkzone.com/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thelonious_Monk
http://www.jazzdisco.org/theloniousmonk/discography/

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