Thelonious Monk Postcard

Description

Thelonious Monk Postcard

Gouache and linoprint on paper.
Format A6, 250g/m2.
Open edition, signed and numbered.
Carved and printed by hand with love and respect.

Thelonious Monk (1917–1982) was one of the most innovative and influential jazz pianists and composers of the 20th century. Known for his unique improvisational style, percussive playing, and unorthodox harmonies, Monk played a key role in shaping modern jazz, particularly the bebop movement.

Born in Rocky Mount, North Carolina, and raised in New York City, Monk began playing piano at a young age. By the 1940s, he became a central figure in the bebop scene, performing at the legendary Minton’s Playhouse alongside musicians like Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie. However, his music often stood apart from traditional bebop, incorporating unusual chord voicings, syncopated rhythms, and a sense of space that was distinctly his own.

Monk’s compositions, including Round Midnight, Blue Monk, Straight, No Chaser, and Well, You Needn’t, became jazz standards. His approach to the piano was highly percussive, marked by unexpected pauses, angular melodies, and striking dissonances. His playing style, often described as eccentric, was matched by his onstage persona—he would sometimes stand up and dance while his bandmates played.

Though his music was not initially embraced by mainstream audiences, Monk gradually gained wider recognition in the 1950s and ’60s, recording influential albums such as Brilliant Corners and Monk’s Dream. In 1964, he became one of the few jazz musicians to appear on the cover of Time magazine.

Later in life, Monk’s health declined, and he withdrew from public performance. He passed away in 1982, but his legacy endures. His contributions to jazz revolutionized the genre, and his distinctive style continues to inspire musicians worldwide. Today, Thelonious Monk is celebrated as a true original, whose music remains as fresh and influential as ever.