Biography of the jazz pianist and composer, the originator of bebop

Thelonious Sfir Monk - enigmatic and ambiguous, talented and uncompromising, a brilliant jazz artist musician и composer of the 20th century. He is known as one of the creators of the style bebopcharacterised by swift pace and complex improvisations that are based on playing of chord sequences. The style of his work was special and guessable literally from the very beginning of the sound of the keys.

Childhood years

The future musician was born 10 October 1917 in the town Rocky Mountlocated in the state North Carolina. Of the authentic date of his birth there was no information for a long time informationthe most accurate information has been established in 1968 musicologist and critic Leonard Feathers in the stuff he got original birth certificate. В certificate the musician's name is listed as Thelonious Monk Jr.. An interesting fact is that the name Sphere metric absentso it was most likely assigned by Monk. independentlyin memory of Sphyra Bettsmy maternal grandfather.

When the boy was a year old. three yearshis mother. Barbaradecided that her children should grow up in metropolisand the Monk family moved to New York. They've taken up residence in a very tiny flat on Manhattanwhich remained haven for Thelonious throughout his life. Father could not get used to the big city: soon he was left family and returned back to Rocky Mount. Barbara managed to get a job in the department social assistance of the municipality. In addition, in order to feed children, she had to work cleaner.

At school Thelonious learnt welland has been particularly successful in studying exact sciencessuch as maths и physics. Already famous, he was more than once spoke outthat "only a mathematician can become a musician". His first musical experience began with pipesbecause back in the day. piano considered a tool for girlsso I started learning to play it older sister Marion. Soon the children abandoned the musical instruments they hated.

When Thelonious was six yearsBarbara bought her son pianoand from then on he spent instruments all my time. At the age of 20 years Monk started to take music lessons from a teacher from of the Juilliard SchoolOne of America's major institutions of higher learning in arts and culture, but in general it can be considered a self-taught. Thelonious never received a full musical education. didn't getMonk later recalled that if he hadn't been there, he wouldn't have needed it. Monk later recalled that if he hadn't been musicianI'd be vagabond.

The beginning of a creative career

В musical Monk starts performing at clubs in Harlem. in the late '30s. Later he plays on piano in a known location "Minton's Playhouse"improvising and creating own partnership style of play with Kenny Clarke. A little later, the young performers join frequent visitors to the jazz trumpet club Dizzy Gillespie and a saxophonist Charlie Parkerwho soon came to appreciate and adopt the specialised manner games and unconventional style Monca. At this time. Thelonious expressed basic position boppers:

"We want to do musicwhich "they." won't be able to play."

By the expression "they." implied arrogant managers of orchestras that adopted the swing style and had a lot of good ones revenues. In 1944. bebop has peaked popularitybut Monkwithout being recognised by the public, said goodbye with the club. At the same time. Thelonious in conjunction with one of the most famous tenor saxophonists Coleman Hawkins recorded his first studio job.

1947 dramatically changed the musician's life. At the end of the summer, he signed a five-year treaty with a recording studio "Blue Note.". Personal life the musician is also completely changed: after years of acquaintance, he suggested Nellie Smith to marry him. The marriage had a huge impact impact on the musician's life thereafter - Nelly turned out to be a caring other and loyal associate for the rest of his life. Through couple of years the musician's family had first a baby. The boy was named in honour of my fatherand subsequently he, as well as Monkdedicated his life music.

Follow-up contract was signed with a record company "Prestige Records."in which the musicians Sonny Rollins, Art Blakey, Miles Davis и Thelonious Monk have created quite a few joint masterpieces. In 1953. there's a new addition to the family second childdaughter Barbara. That's when the pianist met with a member of a distinguished British family Pannonica de Koenigswarter.which has provided support jazz musician and became his close friend until the day he died. The famous saxophonist Archie Shepp described her as a woman who, in many ways. ahead of in your own time. Inspired by love Nicky (as Monk affectionately called her) to jazz. musicThelonious dedicated a piece to her. "Pannonica.". Subsequently great-granddaughter Pannonics withdrawn documentary a film called "The Baroness of Jazz." about the difficult relationships a humble musician and a gorgeous English heiress.

Global recognition

Soon-to-be death close friend Charlie Parker returned interest trainees to bebopu and has had a remarkable impact on enhancement demand for plates Monk. A year later in the show. "Jazz Stars." Thelonious attracted everyone's attention. interest to the public with his original style of play on the instrument: he was holding fingers horizontally to the keyboard, not in an arc as required traditional school.

At the end of the year, the most recognisable the pianist's studio album - "Brilliant Corners."later dubbed "classic" hard bop and critically acclaimed artistic peak Monk. Later in the line-up. quartet he's playing "Five Spot Cafe."and a music club that combined friendly atmosphere and progressive music in the form of state-of-the-art bebop. In the late '60s, as a result of joint of creativity with an old friend Art Blakey was created compositionwhich was the soundtrack to the detective film "Women are disappearing.".

As decided by the readers of the American music magazine "DownBeat." in 1963, the name pianist was enrolled in Jazz Hall of Fame. A year later in an American magazine "Time." The musician had a separate issue dedicated to him with his photo on the coverauthored by Chaliapinson of the world-famous opera singer. However, in the autumn 1963 there was a tragedy in the United States: a man was murdered. John Kennedyand there was a photo on the cover the next president America Johnson Lyndon. At the same time Monk signed new сannouncement with the studio "Columbia Records.but, unfortunately, his new work forfeited uniqueness и individuality. Exception is an album called "Underground."the last of the studio ones.

At the beginning of the 70-х Monk has become participant of a world tour called "The Giants of Jazz"and at the same time, in a tiny studio. "Black Lion." he wrote down his final work. Soon the pianist was practically ceased to give concerts, his last show took place over the summer 1976.. Composer secluded in a mansion Pannonique de Koenigswarter. and completely withdrew from the outside world. Thelonious Monk passed away on 17 February 1982.

Achievements and awards

Art Monk didn't get it proper recognised during his lifetime. Posthumously in 1993 year he was honoured with a special award "Grammys." for musical achievement. Almost through five years after the musician's death, with the participation of his families was founded Jazz Institutewhich annually hosts the International Jazz contestgiving famous musicians the opportunity share experience with the younger generation. В 1989. has been released film titled "Thelonious Monk: Straight, No Chaser."dedicated to personal life и creativity of musical genius.