Thelonious Monk Septet, Monk’s Music, Riverside (US), Label # RLP 12-242, 12” LP, 1957.

This album, along with Brilliant Corner’s (1956), and Thelonious Himself (1957), also recorded for Riverside, are considered masterpieces of jazz and rose Monk to high acclaim as a jazz pianist. His piano style is one of the most unique amongst jazz pianists. His music had a highly distinctive timbre, rhythmic surprises, variety of articulation and use of ‘crushed’ notes. He is also highly regarded for his ability to improvise a coherent musical argument with a logic and structure comparable to his notated compositions.

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