Thelonious Monk

Complete 1954-1962 Studio Solo Recordings

Jazz genius captured alone at the piano.

Defined by unusual melodic leaps and dissonant harmonies, Thelonious Monk’s musical language is so unique and distinctive that he can easily be identified by a couple of piano chords. Though his preferred formats for presenting his music were trios and quartets, he occasionally made some unaccompanied piano recordings and this excellent 2-CD collection brings together all of his solo pieces during an eight-year period (including the complete albums Himself and Thelonious Alone In San Fran- cisco). Some of the composer/ pianist’s greatest tunes are featured (including arresting versions of Round Midnight and Blue Monk) as well as his idiosyncratic interpretations of jazz standards like April In Paris and Body & Soul. Bolstered with rare bonus cuts, this retrospective etches an intimate portrait of Monk that deepens our understanding and appreciation of his maverick genius.