In 1963, Monk would release his first album for Colombia records titled “Monk’s Dream.” Considered one of his seminal works, Monk composed a quartet exploring old and new material in a fresh and vibrant way. The record highlights Monk's unique style while leaving space for the tight band to work. It’s an excellent introduction to Monk as well as a must-have for fans.
When people talk about music, they often point toward a few great characters who changed everything all on their own. But the reality is often stranger and more complicated than even a handful of great people. Thelonious Monk was one of those shadow characters who impacted jazz’s modern age as strongly as Dizzy Gillespie and Miles Davis but never got the mainstream credit. The jazz pianist and composer was an early creator of bebop which dominated post-war jazz but would remain largely invisible until collaborating with John Coltrane. He popularized harmonic techniques that avant-garde jazz would become known for in the ‘60s and onwards. He finally received serious recognition by the early ‘60s as one of the most influential jazz composers of the century.
