close
test_template

A Report on Thelonious Monk - an American Jazz Pianist

download print

About this sample

About this sample

close

Words: 492 |

Page: 1|

3 min read

Published: Jan 15, 2019

Words: 492|Page: 1|3 min read

Published: Jan 15, 2019

Thelonious Monk was born on October 10, 1917 in Rocky Mount, North Carolina. When he was just four, his parents, Barbara and Thelonious, Sr., moved to New York City, where he would spend the next five decades of his life. Thelonious Monk grew up in New York, started playing piano when he was around five, and had his first job touring as an accompanist to an evangelist. Monk started learning classical piano when he was eleven but had already shown some aptitude for the instrument. Monk was thirteen when he had won the weekly amateur competition at the Apollo Theater. He won so many times that the management banned him from re-entering the contest. One of his inspirations were his neighbor, James P. Johnson, who was a harlem stride pianist. At age seventeen, Monk dropped out of the Stuyvesant High School to pursue his music career.

'Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned'?

He toured with the Texas Warhorse, an evangelist and faith healer, before assembling a quartet of his own. Through the 1940-1953, Thelonious played in a band at Minton’s Playhouse. He worked with Lucky Millinder for some time in 1942 and was with the Cootie Williams Orchestra briefly in 1944. Williams recorded Monk’s “Epistrophy” in 1942 and in 1944 was the first to record Round Midnight. But, it was when he became Coleman Hawkins’ regular pianist that Monk was initially noticed.

In 1947, Monk married Nellie Smith, his longtime sweetheart. They later had two children, whom they named after his parents, Thelonious and Barbara. In 1952, Monk signed a contract with Prestige Records, which yielded pieces like “Smoke Gets In Your Eyes” and “Bags’ Groove”. The latter, which he recorded with Miles Davis in 1954, is sometimes said to be his greatest piano solo ever. In 1955, he signed with Riverside and producer Orrin Keep news convinces him to record an album of Duke Ellington tunes. Monk turned a page with his 1956 album, Brilliant Corners, which is usually considered to be his first true masterpiece. In 1957, the Thelonious Monk Quartet, which included John Coltrane, began performing regularly at the Five Spot in New York. By 1962, Monk was so popular that he was given a contract with Columbia Records, a decidedly more mainstream label than Riverside. In 1964, Monk became one of four jazz musicians ever to grace the cover of Time Magazine. He played with the Giants of Jazz during 1971-1972, but then in 1973 suddenly retired. Monk was suffering from mental illness and, other than a few special appearances during the mid-70s. He lived the rest of his life in seclusion or private. He passed away from a stroke in 1982. He has since been inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame, added to the Library of Congress’s National Recording Registry, and featured on a United States postage stamp. One of Thelonious’ famous quotes were “The piano ain’t got no wrong notes!”. He would be 100 years today.

Image of Dr. Charlotte Jacobson
This essay was reviewed by
Dr. Charlotte Jacobson

Cite this Essay

A Report on Thelonious Monk – an American Jazz Pianist. (2019, January 15). GradesFixer. Retrieved March 28, 2024, from https://gradesfixer.com/free-essay-examples/charles-franklin-biography/
“A Report on Thelonious Monk – an American Jazz Pianist.” GradesFixer, 15 Jan. 2019, gradesfixer.com/free-essay-examples/charles-franklin-biography/
A Report on Thelonious Monk – an American Jazz Pianist. [online]. Available at: <https://gradesfixer.com/free-essay-examples/charles-franklin-biography/> [Accessed 28 Mar. 2024].
A Report on Thelonious Monk – an American Jazz Pianist [Internet]. GradesFixer. 2019 Jan 15 [cited 2024 Mar 28]. Available from: https://gradesfixer.com/free-essay-examples/charles-franklin-biography/
copy
Keep in mind: This sample was shared by another student.
  • 450+ experts on 30 subjects ready to help
  • Custom essay delivered in as few as 3 hours
Write my essay

Still can’t find what you need?

Browse our vast selection of original essay samples, each expertly formatted and styled

close

Where do you want us to send this sample?

    By clicking “Continue”, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy.

    close

    Be careful. This essay is not unique

    This essay was donated by a student and is likely to have been used and submitted before

    Download this Sample

    Free samples may contain mistakes and not unique parts

    close

    Sorry, we could not paraphrase this essay. Our professional writers can rewrite it and get you a unique paper.

    close

    Thanks!

    Please check your inbox.

    We can write you a custom essay that will follow your exact instructions and meet the deadlines. Let's fix your grades together!

    clock-banner-side

    Get Your
    Personalized Essay in 3 Hours or Less!

    exit-popup-close
    We can help you get a better grade and deliver your task on time!
    • Instructions Followed To The Letter
    • Deadlines Met At Every Stage
    • Unique And Plagiarism Free
    Order your paper now