This Jazz Feature tonight is a once-in-a-lifetime meeting between pianist Thelonious Monk and drum master Art Blakey and his Jazz Messengers. It all took place in New York for Atlantic Records on May 14 and 15th, 1957. Monk and Blakey were best of friends and frequent musical associates and Blakey had been Monk's drummer on many of his important recordings but here the situation was reversed. This time it was Monk joining Art Blakey's crew. Monk happily agreed to the date but had two requests, one was that he wished to use his favourite bassist, Wilbur Ware and the other was that the band play mostly Monk compositions on the date. Unfortunately Wilbur Ware showed up very drunk and stoned and was rendered unable to play. It looked like the date would be called off but Blakey pursuaded Monk to use his bassist if available. James "Spanky" DeBrest was quickly called in to replace Ware and the date was commenced in earnest. As trumpeter Bill Hardman was unfamiliar with Monk's tunes, he had to learn them on the spot but got much help from tenor saxophonist Johnny Griffin who was at least familiar with a few having played with Monk in Chicago in 1955. The date took all night but Atlantic agreed and paid for the time because they knew they had something unique. Five of the six tunes were Monk's and the sixth was a minor key blues by Griffin called "Purple Shades". Hence though thick and thin we have a classic recording by two of the most ground-breaking players in all Jazz music. Check out "Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers With Thelonious Monk" tonight.

Ask this episode

“What did the council decide on item 42?” — answered with the speaker and the moment.

Transcript

Related