Thelonious Monk Signed 1969 L.P. Album "Monk's Greatest Hits"
$
500
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Description
Thelonious Monk (1917-1982) was one of the most influential pianists and composers of jazz in the 20th century. Together with Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie, he developed the school of jazz known as bebop. His 1st known recording was in 1944 when he was a member of Coleman Hawkins' quartet but name was not mentioned on the album. It wasn't until 1947 that he played as the leader of a sextet session for the Blue Note jazz label. The classics "Criss Cross" and "Evidence" are generally regarded as the first works characteristic of Monk's unique jazz style which embraced percussive playing, unusual repetitions and dissonant sounds. He signed with Prestige Records early on but then sold his contract to Riverside Records in 1955 after he had recorded "Bags Groove" with Miles Davis (some consider this his finest piano solo ever). He was a fixture in many of the after hour jam sessions that took place in the New York jazz clubs. In 1957, the Thelonious Monk Quartet (featuring a young John Coltrane) began performing regularly at the "Five Spot" in New York. In 1962, he signed with the mainstream Columbia label and he performed in many overseas tours. He struggled with mental health issues for much of his life and he backed away from the limelight for the last decade of his life. He will always be known as an exceptional originator for his compositions and his performing talents.
The long playing be-bop album entitled "Monk's Greatest Hits" (1969) is a 33 1/3 stereo record album with the Columbia Records number CS9775. What is unique about this item is that the record has been personally signed in white ink by Thelonious Monk himself (photo 2). Signature is quite legible. Autograph collectors know that Thelonious Monk's beautiful signature is somewhat rare and very desirable. This signed album does not come with a certificate of authenticity but they don't mean that much anyway. Selling off many of my signed records from a 30+ year hobby of collecting. Love the cover photo by W. Eugene Smith. Shows moody Monk with the obligatory cigarette and hat with the autograph on his left cheek. This is my last recording with Thelonious Monk's signature. I have a jazz photo album with his signed photo in it but no more signed album covers.
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