Thelonious. Sphere. Monk.
Perhaps the greatest name of all-time and inarguably the perfect name for the idiosyncratic genius who transformed jazz.
Also one of El Somnambulo’s all-time favorite composer/musicians in any genre.
Donald Fagen of Steely Dan said it best, “The ET in my bedroom was my Thelonious Monk records.”
Time to Phone Home:
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9gwNli2C1sw[/youtube]
“Just a Gigolo” from the 1988 documentary, “Straight, No Chaser”
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SmhP1RgbrrY[/youtube]
“Blue Monk”, Oslo, 1966, featuring Charlie Rouse, tenor sax; Ben Riley, drums; Larry Gales, bass
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YXp6DrISKQY&feature=related[/youtube]
“Misterioso”, “The Complete Blue Note Recordings”, July 1948, featuring Milt Jackson on vibes
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bwjZoyvvfS8[/youtube]
“Bolivar Blues”, Japan, 1963, featuring Charlie Rouse, sax; Frank Dunbar, drums; Butch Warren, bass
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LqA_QN2vLXU[/youtube]
“Monk’s Mood”, Monk and (John Col)Trane at Carnegie Hall!
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZX_mwDvcZ2I&feature=related[/youtube]
” ‘Round Midnight”, Oslo, 1966, Charlie Rouse, sax; Ben Riley, drums; Larry Gales, bass
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QIVoOwOMq2c&feature=related[/youtube]
“Crepuscule With Nellie”-Solo Monk