Thelonious Monk
To the jazz world, Thelonious Monk was the founder of bebop, an unconventional composer and performer known for dissonant harmonies and complex rhythms, and a genius of modern music. One of a few jazz musicians to be featured on the cover of Time, the image of Monk himself was renowned for his look as a hipster, always meticulously dressed in suits, hats and sunglasses.
Thelonious Monk – The Life and Times of An American Original is a new biography that thoroughly documents the storied life of a pianist always redefining the boundaries of his art. Author Robin Kelley spent 14 years on the book, utilizing unprecedented access to surviving family and friends, personal letters and documents. Kelley tries to set the record straight and balance Monk’s eccentric, mysterious image with the reality of a survivor, a family man, and a hard worker determined to overcome the obstacles of life as a black musician in the ‘50s and ‘60s.
Kelley’s easy-to-read chronicle transports readers to the early days of bebop and smoke filled jazz clubs. It’s a celebration of Monk but also a nod to Monk’s native state of North Carolina and its influence on him. Although his family moved at an early age to New York, his Southern roots were a dominant part of his life and music.
Also, for a good starting point to Monk’s music, check out his 1962 album Monk’s Dream.
