Jazz Articles

Thelonious Monk: Monk 'Round the World

by Franz A. Matzner
August 13, 2004

Second in the series of Thelonious Monk releases produced by the his son, T.S. Monk, Monk Round the World presents seven live tracks of the seminal pianist performing in various European and U.S. locales. At this point it would be impossible to expect a Monk release to provide wholly new insights into the artist's music, but like its predecessor, Monk Round the World offers an intriguing glimpse into Monk's live performance style, and it documents in clear ...

Thelonious Monk: Monk 'Round the World

by John Kelman
August 4, 2004

What can you say about pianist Thelonious Monk? By the time these tracks were recorded, between '61 and '64, he had already amassed a body of work containing many tunes that had already become classics, and he would continue to influence composers and players through to this day. At this time in his career, though, rather than continuing to develop new material, he seemed content, for the most part, to reinterpret his own significant oeuvre. Backed by a fluctuating band ...

Thelonious Monk: Monk in Paris: Live at the Olympia

by Germein Linares
March 11, 2004

Monk In Paris: Live At the Olympia, recorded on March 7, 1965, is the second release for Thelonious Records. Formed by Monk's son, drummer T.S. Monk, Dr. Peter Grain and Hyena Records' Joel Dorn, the label made its debut with T.S. Monk's 2003 record, Higher Ground. The new label will be a vehicle for his own recordings as well as for private recordings by his father.

The first of these private gems finds Monk in Paris with ...

Thelonious Monk: Monk in Paris: Live at the Olympia

by Franz A. Matzner
October 9, 2003

Although critical accuracy and integrity are usually dependent on avoiding categorical endorsement and suggestions of purchase, there have to be some exceptions. In certain cases, this same integrity demands overlooking the rules. So before proceeding any further, let it be said that the Thelonious Records release Monk in Paris: Live at the Olympia belongs in every music collection, including that of the jazz collector, Monk fanatic, Monk skeptic (do they exist?) and casual jazz fan alike. In fact, given Monk’s ...

Thelonious Monk: Monk in Paris: Live at the Olympia

by C. Michael Bailey
October 6, 2003

New Monk

Few things in jazz can possibly be better than previously unheard sets by late jazz greats. When that music comes from of the very spirit of jazz, Thelonious Monk, it is time for consideration and celebration. Lurking within the Thelonious Monk Family Archives is a mother lode of previously unreleased music by the jazz master. Now in a deal struck between Thelonious Records and Joel Dorn's most recent imprint, Hyena Records, this unissued material will be made public. ...

T.S. Monk: Higher Ground

by Franz A. Matzner
July 25, 2003

T.S. Monk's new album Higher Ground serves up a decidedly challenging musical concoction. With this release, Monk has not only solidified a highly personal sound, he has done something rare and infinitely appealing: he has created idiosyncratic, confounding music. Released in conjunction with the founding of Thelonious Records, and coinciding with the long awaited opening of the Thelonious Monk Archives, Higher Ground consists of nine tracks presented by the younger T.S. Monk's septet, a standing group of ...