Pianist/composer Thelonious Monk was and still is one of the most important figures in Modern Jazz. In the 1950s he was neglected by the critics and many musicians. He did have his supporters in both fraternities but work was scarce and his records didn't sell and his music was never heard on Jazz radio. Tonight the Jazz Show presents two pivotal recording sessions that are now classics although they were pretty well ignored in their time. The first is Monk's final session for Blue Note from May of 1952. This well organized date was for a sextet with trumpeter Kenny Dorham and saxophonists Lou Donaldson and Lucky Thompson on alto and tenor respectively. Nelson Boyd on bass and the great Max Roach on drums and Mr. Monk. Five then new tunes were recorded and a trio track. The second session was one of his most relaxed and successful for Prestige Records done in 1954. A fine quintet with trumpeter Ray Copeland, a Monk favourite and a then new voice on the New York scene, tenor saxophonist Frank Foster. They blend well. Curly Russell is on bass and Monk's best buddy, Art Blakey is on drums. Three new Monk tunes are presented here and one great old standard, "Smoke Gets In Your Eyes" is given a wonderful Monkish treatment. This was not a working band but it sounded like one. Early Monk from 1952 and 1954 in super form tonight. The beginning of a month long series of Jazz features with Thelonious Monk.

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