Thelonious Monk is a painting by Jack Zulli which was uploaded on February 21st, 2013.
Thelonious Monk
Thelonious Sphere Monk (October 10, 1917) February 17, 1982) was an American jazz pianist and composer considered one of the giants of American... more
by Jack Zulli
Title
Thelonious Monk
Artist
Jack Zulli
Medium
Painting - Digital Art
Description
Thelonious Sphere Monk (October 10, 1917) February 17, 1982) was an American jazz pianist and composer considered one of the giants of American music.Monk had a unique improvisational style and made numerous contributions to the standard jazz repertoire, including "Epistrophy", "'Round Midnight", "Blue Monk", "Straight, No Chaser" and "Well, You Needn't". Monk is the second-most recorded jazz composer after Duke Ellington, which is particularly remarkable as Ellington composed over 1,000 songs while Monk wrote about 70.
His compositions and improvisations are full of dissonant harmonies and angular melodic twists, and are consistent with Monk's unorthodox approach to the piano, which combined a highly percussive attack with abrupt, dramatic use of silences and hesitations. Since this was not a style universally appreciated, poet and jazz critic Philip Larkin dismissed Monk as "the elephant on the keyboard".
Monk's manner was idiosyncratic. Visually, he was renowned for his distinctive style in suits, hats and sunglasses. He was also noted for the fact that at times, while the other musicians in the band continued playing, he would stop, stand up from the keyboard and dance for a few moments before returning to the piano.
He is one of five jazz musicians to have been featured on the cover of Time (the other four being Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Wynton Marsalis, and Dave Brubeck) as of 2010.
Uploaded
February 21st, 2013
More from Jack Zulli
Comments (72)
Marla McPherson
Fabulous color and shapes in this greatly creative and expressive portrait of Thelonius Jack! Loved reading all the history in your description as well. L/f!
Judy Palkimas
Congratulations on being SPECIAL HIGHLIGHTED WFS ARTIST FOR THE WEEK in WFS! Amazing work!
Hanne Lore Koehler
Revisiting to admire this colorful beauty, Jack! Congratulations on your WFS Special Highlight Feature! L/F/T
Doug Kreuger
Jack, Congratulations on your WFS Special Highlight Feature for this highly creative, colorful artwork! L/V