It has some of Monk’s best compositions like “Blue Monk”, “Little Rootie Tootie”, “Bye-Ya”, “Monk’s Dream” and “Trinkle Tinkle”, and his interpretations of “These Foolish Things” and “Sweet And Lovely” which is so original that they sound like they were written by him. It is hard to decide if the piano is hopelessly out of tune or if it is Monk who makes it sound that way with his hip dissonant chords and notes. Monk swings more irresistable than ever backed by drummer Art Blakey or Max Roach. These trio recordings made between 1952 and 54 were the first ones I heard of Monk and they are still among the ones I like the most. The album was released as a 10″ album in 1951, and as a 12″ album with more songs added in 1956. Name one other debut recording with as many future jazz standards on it! The musicians includes vibraphonist Milt Jackson and drummer Art Blakey. They feature some of his best compositions that he and other artists would continue to record, like “‘Round Midnight”, “Well You Needn’t”, the irresistible “I Mean You”, and “Epistrophy” that would become his theme song. These 19 recordings are Monk’s first as a band leader. “Genius Of Modern Music vol 1” (Blue Note, 1951/56) Here are some of my favorite albums of his: He always sounds like his own unique self. Pianist and composer Thelonious Monk is one of the most consequent of all musicians in jazz.

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