& FREE Returns

FREE delivery Sat, Sep 24. Order within 10 hrs 27 mins

Or fastest delivery Fri, Sep 23

Only 1 left in stock - order soon.

[{"displayPrice":"$53.98","priceAmount":53.98,"currencySymbol":"$","integerValue":"53","decimalSeparator":".","fractionalValue":"98","symbolPosition":"left","hasSpace":false,"showFractionalPartIfEmpty":true,"offerListingId":"FpNfU5EYb3Ei2U0H3cbcBQ3Uhnw1h1U%2BfS856pSJk5ztB2F6%2FPqxw4Pn%2BOa%2B9TTtHhvD1JABF8VUxx%2BkeFSB%2F0jtgvIeAwle8l%2Far4n9yqq4XDXgDzCa%2FoGfQteoW1A9EwijXqo0ikrw1vcIG524UKra%2BUC1eyvAgBxVpkgI%2FPh3zu1McQ%2FHdw%3D%3D","locale":"en-US","buyingOptionType":"NEW"},{"displayPrice":"$10.99","priceAmount":10.99,"currencySymbol":"$","integerValue":"10","decimalSeparator":".","fractionalValue":"99","symbolPosition":"left","hasSpace":false,"showFractionalPartIfEmpty":true,"offerListingId":"qwUt%2FAikU04q1iLiBjvNQrrdN2lbIie%2BIvezf%2BqdiKl3hniFm1eO1yf9%2BbZi%2F9rXuULy1HKXgfUGg3abpwa5LsISqOOCEf8MUWIgUtNXuvuoTvbAkBBjxINA3GNVSrrKGqZzLYLRa%2B3v4c2CO4Jqr7VkuNlu7hbJNnN%2BA1xDfVBfUiaPr8cXRmfarHyEYBQG","locale":"en-US","buyingOptionType":"USED"}]

$$53.98 () Includes selected options. Includes initial monthly payment and selected options. Details

Secure transaction

Ships from

Amazon

Sold by

North Books

Details

Ships from

Amazon

Sold by

North Books

Return policy: Eligible for Return, Refund or Replacement within 30 days of receipt

Add a gift receipt for easy returns

Get Fast, Free Shipping with Amazon Prime

FREE delivery Sat, Sep 24 if you spend $25 on items shipped by Amazon

Or fastest delivery Thu, Sep 22. Order within 10 hrs 27 mins

Select delivery location

Pre-owned: Acceptable | Details

Sold by Shop Simpler

Fulfilled by Amazon

Share

Have one to sell?

Sell on Amazon

Flip to back Flip to front

Listen Playing... Paused You're listening to a sample of the Audible audio edition.
Learn more

See this image

Follow the Author

Thomas Fitterling

Thelonious Monk: His Life and Music Paperback – February 28, 1997

by Thomas Fitterling (Author), Steve Lacy (Foreword)

5 ratings

See all formats and editions

Price

New from

Used from

Paperback

"Please retry"

$95.10

—

$95.10

Paperback

"Please retry"

$53.98

$39.99

$1.98

Enhance your purchase

Presents a study of the pioneering jazz pianist, covering his career and highlighting his work in composition, performance, and arrangement

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

This comprehensive study of the noted jazz pianist and composer is a revised edition of a book first published in Germany in 1987. It is divided into three sections: a biography of Monk (1917-1982); an examination of his pianistic and compositional style; and an exhaustive, annotated catalogue of his recordings. Monk, introverted and given to bouts of depression, had few interests other than music, and his biography does not make exciting reading. The meat of the book is in Fitterling's insightful analyses of his subject's distinctive pianistic sound, his personal style as an ensemble player and his talent as a composer. Fitterling continues his assessment of Monk's musical style in the catalogue, where he includes critical commentary for each entry. He also lists films and videos relating to Monk's life. Two appendices--a guide to the multitude of Monk recordings and a glossary of musical expressions--will be helpful to those new to Monk's work. Fitterling, who lives in Germany, is a jazz journalist as well as a jazz percussionist and vibe player. This is his first book. Photos not seen by PW.

From Library Journal

Thelonious Monk, Dizzy Gillespie, and Charlie Parker were pioneers in an original form of music called bebop that reclaimed jazz as a primarily African American form of cultural expression in the 1940s. Monk in particular, with his shades, goatee, and ever-changing array of unusual headgear, came to epitomize bopper cool. Even in his novel music, Monk's originality stood out. Unfortunately, emotional problems, run-ins with the law, and a reputation for unreliability derailed his career just as he was reaching his creative height, and he spent the last years of his life watching television. Fitterling, a jazz performer, producer, and journalist, has done a fine job in recounting the development of Monk's style, his contributions as a composer, and the influence of his music. But the reader interested in learning what made this complex and unique artist tick will be left wanting more. For music collections.?Dan Bogey, Clearfield Cty. P.L. Fed., Curwensville, Pa.
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Berkeley Hills Books; Revised edition (February 28, 1997)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 240 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0965377415
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0965377416
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 12.8 ounces
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 0.75 x 9.25 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #2,993,797 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #15,574 in Composer & Musician Biographies

Customer Reviews:
5 ratings

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.

Thomas Fitterling

Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.

Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Discover more of the author’s books, see similar authors, read author blogs and more

Customer reviews

5 star		87%
4 star		13%
3 star 0% (0%)		0%
2 star 0% (0%)		0%
1 star 0% (0%)		0%

How customer reviews and ratings work

Top reviews from the United States

There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.

R. J. Marsella

Great discography and brief bio

Reviewed in the United States on February 23, 2004

This is a very well written concise biography of Monk that is comprehensive enough to foster an understanding of his influences and the music and cultural scene in which he emerged. It is thoroughly researched and doesn't bog down in trivial detail the way many iconographic bios do. About one third of the book consists of a comprhensive discography which is notable for it's objectivity in reviewing all of Monk's recordings. This would be very helpful to anyone looking to begin or expand their Monk collection. The musicians that played with Monk in various sessions are all covered and the circumstances surrounding most of the recordings are adequately described.
All in all I think this is a wonderful reference for the jazz lover and a good overview of the life and work of one of the all-time great jazz musicians.

Follow the Author