EDITOR’S CHOICE & WORLD PIANO DAY: THELONIOUS MONK

Like every month, Editor’s Choice presents a hand-picked favorite of Stingray DJAZZ's editor-in-chief, Karen van der Stal. This month, on the occasion of World Piano Day, Karen spotlights one of the most groundbreaking pianists in jazz history: Thelonious Monk. The documentary ‘Thelonious Monk: American Composer’ was the first fully rounded portrait of Thelonious Sphere Monk, a terribly misunderstood man and musician finally given his due as a true original of American music. He was the pianistic ringleader of the bebop revolution and a major jazz composer. After appearing on the cover of Time Magazine in 1964, Monk had arrived as a top-tier name in jazz. Monk remained a highly productive musician, continuously growing as an artist, exploring his art and extending his range. This documentary, filmed in the areas where Monk grew up and worked, including Minton's Playhouse in New York City, features conversations with Monk’s son T. S. Monk III, Monk’s drummer Ben Riley, Monk’s record producer Orrin Keepnews, as well as some of Monk’s peers, including pianists Billy Taylor, Randy Weston, and Barry Harris. Learn all about Monk on Wednesday, March 29 at 21:00 CEST on Stingray DJAZZ!