Customer Reviews

Thelonious Monk - American Composer

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
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This is a great DVD mainly featuring interviews with Monk's friends and family, providing fascinating info about the man. However on my wish-list is a comprehensive DVD of Monk's performances (there seems to be plenty of footage) WITHOUT any talking over his playing!. I am much more interested in Monk's music than in the art of the video-editor.

Classical musicians can expect all of their performances to be seen and heard, jazz on video should be treated the same. Particularily as watching Monk play live adds a great deal to appreciating his music, his timing, improvisational skills and generally pushing it to the edge !

I've watched this three times and look forward to my next viewing again. Features interviews with many of his contemporaries including Billy Taylor, Marion White, Barry Harris and his son Thelonious Mon Jr., as well as lots of footage of the master himself playing. I'm a huge Monk fan, and I found this fascinating and very informative on what made this genius tick. Highly recommended.

Some of us actually like to know when a dvd (especially a documentary) was created and who did it... and for some reason no outlet, including Amazon, ever thinks it worth mentioning. What we get is the release date of the most recent packaging.
So here it is:
"THELONIOUS MONK; American Composer" Toby Bryon/Multiprises in association with Taurus Films, Matthew Seig Director, Written by Quincy Troupe, c 1993, 60 minutes

The DVD Thelonious Monk, American Composer, is a treasure. Monk is a fascinating figure to observe. He is one of the finest composers in all of jazz. He swings hard, and plays in a style that is all his own. This DVD is a candid look inside a complicated man. Serious jazz fans should see this DVD to learn more about a true jazz icon. First, there is his music, and some truly memorable compositions. Second, there is the chance to see Monk perform. I especially enjoyed his rendition of Blue Monk. Finally, this film shows Monk's determination to be himself, to play his music the way he envisioned it. He clearly has the respect of his contemporaries, who realized that he made a unique contribution to this music. Get this film and introduce yourself to more of Monk's music. Listen to the music on his CDs a cut at a time. It must be savored slowly to be appreciated. I find that the more I listen, the more I discover another song I truly enjoy. Right now, that song is Monk's Mood. Enjoy!

To SEE Monk playing the piano adds a whole new dimension to his music. This man was truly channelling. Thank God for Thelonious Monk.

This is a great video...I've watched it many times for inspiration.