Search - Thelonious Monk :: This Is Jazz 5

One of the finest composers in jazz.

Dijaldi | Seattle, WA USA | 04/19/1999

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This is the place to begin if you have never heard the unique compositions and piano style of Thelonious Monk. Most of his best known compositions are here. Even though these recordings were done for the most part in the 1960's, fifteen to twenty years after they were written, Monk was surrounded by a fine crew, particularly tenor sax player Charlie Rouse. These renditions are Hard Bop in style and while stellar sidemen such as John Coltrane are absent, this collection will familiarize you with the classic tunes. And should this wet your appetite, go to "Brilliant Corners" or "Thelonious Monk and John Coltrane." If not, well you needn't."

A Must Have

R. J. Marsella | 01/28/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Thelonious Monk was a Great Musician who forever changed the way Music was to sound&be played.on this set you get a Good introduction to the Mind of this Genius."Round Midnight" gets things off to a Smooth start."Straight,No Chaser" is a Great Composition.Monk just gets better with time.His Music is as Fresh Sounding now as it was when it first came out.this is a Great Start to one of Music's Greatest Innovators."

Great Intro to Monk's Music

R. J. Marsella | California | 12/12/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"If you are not sure where to begin with Monk then this is a good introduction to his work. Monk is in a class by himself, a true original and his music is addictive once you "get" him. I would recommend this cd to any friend who asked me about Monk with the caveat that once you hear it you will be buying more recordings and exploring Monk's music more fully. The man has left us a rich legacy of recordings from different periods and with different supporting casts. It's all good , from the crispness of the Columbia recordings with his quartet, to the more exploratory recordings on Riverside and Bluenote. This CD which features many of his bettter known compositions will open up windows that can lead to endless hours of musical joy."