Monk

By Laurent De Wilde

Book Overview

Offers a personal, anecdotal biography of the controversial jazz pianist, who was big on the New York jazz scene during the 1940s, 1950s, and 1960s. This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1569247765
• ISBN13: 9781569247761
• Release Date: September 1998
• Publisher: Da Capo Press
• Length: 224 Pages
• Weight: 0.62 lbs.
• Dimensions: 5.3" x 0.5" x 5.3"

Customer Reviews

Enlightening and uplifting to read and enjoy

For an academic dissection look elsewhere but stop here for sheer enthusiasm and insight into Monk from an obvious admirer. I coulnd't put the book down and learned much from the numerous insights into the music business and cultural/social environment in which Monk lived. I recommend the book to anyone who wants to better understand appreciate Monk's music.

Kirkus Reviews is wrong, de Wilde's Monk is GREAT

Obviously the reviewer for Kirkus Reviews knows nothing about jazz nor about Monk. There is very liitle biographical detail about Monk that is available because his family (particularly his wife Nellie) will not speak publicly about Thelonius. That said, de Wilde's book is a brilliant evocation of Monk's genius as both a player and a composer. As opposed to Straight No Chaser, Monk attempts to capture the esssence of the man by a mixture of musicological study, an analysis of the recording scene and industry at the time, and a vivid, imaginative journey through a master musician's mindset. Any lover of jazz will appreciate this effort!