Thelonious Monk: Man of Sleek Style

This has been a very delightful Friday. I celebrated a little while ago by digging the robust jazz of the clever powerhouse of piano, Thelonious Monk. I listened to a great tune called 'Nutty' and I'm telling you it blew me away. Strong, exciting jazz is built into this Monk performance. Also the swinging big tenor sound of Monk's friend, Charlie Rouse was so fine. The interesting thing about the jazz music of T. Monk is the fact that it is always so fresh. Jazz...Monk Style...is a huge joy.

Charlie Christian's 1941 jazz is so pulsating

The musical culture in this country has changed dramatically in the last decade or so. It is rather interesting how new music forms keep popping up and yet grand, cultural mainstays like jazz, classical, country and yes rock music continue to excite so many of us. In jazz it is good to go back and listen to more traditional-oriented jazz people. One of the most elegant and smooth guitar players I have ever had the pleasure of digging is the very suave Charlie Christian. I enjoy so much a particular Charlie Christian set, 'Live Sessions at Minton's Playhouse New York--May 1941. My word, this sophisticated 1941 melange of super sounds is thrilling and gets my creativity quotient beautifully elevated. On this set that I listened to today Charlie Christian is joined by some modern jazz pioneers like Dizzy Gillespie,(trumpet) Thelonious Monk (piano) and Kenny Clarke on drums. Also there is virile so passionate work on tenor saxophone by a fabulous saxophone guy, Don Byas. The musical pulsating panorama of Charlie Christian and his group just enthralls me. It is so grand to dig as many brands of great American music as one can because it brings so much good, tasty flavor to one's life. I used to be so amused because some friends said don't use words like "tasty" but really the word "tasty" so intrinsically brings home the spiced up zest of Charlie Christian's music and with the having a great time help of Dizzy, Monk and friends this form of listening experience is a really good brand of fun.

Thelonious Monk, Charlie Rouse: So 'Hip"

It is a perfect day here in North Georgia. Bright sunshine, beautiful leaves. Super good one today, so I got back into my innovative jazz fun life this afternoon. I listened to one of my all-time favorite men on the magic energy instrument, the piano. I am speaking of the fabulous fella, Thelonious Monk. His music is so compelling and yes energetic and full of the depth of marvelous jazz improvisation. Working with him on my listening material was his great sideman, the very fine Charlie Rouse on the good horn, of course I mean the tenor saxophone. I have always "dug" the unusual sounds of Thelonious Monk. And Charlie Rouse is such a merry musical prankster on sax. Monk and Rouse together are solo guys who can really get the "mod" music "cookin'" and so, oh my Lord, "hip." When Thelonious Monk and friends play his engaging 'Blue Monk' it just really sends me out in space. It has so much great "kick" and powerhouse style. Yes, Monk, Rouse and associates can surely get it done.