Thelonious Monk Audiobook By Robin DG Kelley cover art

Thelonious Monk

The Life and Times of an American Original

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Thelonious Monk

By: Robin DG Kelley
Narrated by: Sean Crisden
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Thelonious Monk is the critically acclaimed, gripping saga of an artist's struggle to "make it" without compromising his musical vision. It is a story that, like its subject, reflects the tidal ebbs and flows of American history in the 20th century.

To his fans, he was the ultimate hipster; to his detractors, he was temperamental, eccentric, taciturn, or childlike. His angular melodies and dissonant harmonies shook the jazz world to its foundations, ushering in the birth of "bebop" and establishing Monk as one of America's greatest composers.

Elegantly written and rich with humor and pathos, Thelonious Monk is the definitive work on modern jazz's most original composer.

©2009 Robin D. G. Kelley (P)2017 Tantor Entertainment & Celebrities Music Celebrity Witty

Critic reviews

"Every step of Monk's musical journey is teased out in meticulous detail...whether he's charting the highs or lows of Monk's emotional swings, Kelley rarely strays from his central theme of an extraordinary talent pushing against the boundaries of his art." ( Publishers Weekly)

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This Black History Month—and every day of the year—we're shining a light on artists and thinkers who demonstrate the boundless depths of Black creativity, joy, and love. We've gathered a list of memoirs by and biographies about artists who totally upended the expectations of a white-dominated field and crafted something entirely their own, making history and changing lives as a result.

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Comprehensive Biography • Detailed Musical Analysis • Intimate Portrait • Thorough Research • Masterful Writing
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Monk truly deserved to have this book written. After all the nonsense said about him, he deserved this. Beautiful and touching. I feel so honored to listen to his music and to understand his life through a masterful and sympathetic writer. Thank you both. Justice for Monk. And god bless Nellie.

Justice for Monk

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Robin D.G. Kelley’s achievement cannot be overstated. This is a comprehensive book that covers in detail nearly every aspect of Thelonious Monk’s life, and takes great pains to accurately and expressively contextualize his life and his music. The author’s love for his subject is unmistakable, and to be able to experience such an intimate and thorough portrait of Monk is a profound gift.

Astonishing

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I really enjoyed this book. It was long but so packed with history and side stories that greatly enhanced the story of T Monk. I am not a jazzer but am interested in learning about Thelonius Monk. I have purposely sought out and listened to the pieces that the author mentions and his story makes the music great

When does the movie come out!

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Insightful, musical, a glimpse into a complex and ingenious mind. Monk’s place in the music cannon and imagination is secured!

Long Live Monk!

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Well researched. Gives an accurate biography with very thorough and specific information about dates, musical collaborators, and track listings. Reading is patient and expressive without undue dramatization as befits the text. A bit dry, but highly informative..

Authoritative and well investigated bio w/analysis

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To get to know a personal icon, a man whose melody and complexity are fixed in the story of my life.

The book did not let me down and took even further into not just Monk, but the music that evokes the memories and moments of my life.

Absolutely wonderful!

The life of jazz in a jazzed-life

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Excellent book!!! Excellent story about Mr. Monk, his devotion to his family, his generosity to fellow musicians, his tenacity and dedication to his vision of modern music. The people who surround Monk like Nelly and Nica, aa well as his associates in the music business get a fair shake in this book. Mr. Monk is examined fairly and accurately in all aspects of his life. His “eccentric “ behavior and chemical imbalance are addressed clinically yet compassionately.
Every aspect of Monk’s creative life and musical output is completely discussed. This is “The Book” on Mr. Monk. Excellent. 1000 stars

The definitive bio of Monk

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I never wanted to turn it off. A beautifully written tribute to one of America's best original musicians.

Absolutely Wonderful

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Very detailed, sometimes making it slow reading, especially at the beginning, but so much valuable and interesting information about Monk, jazz, other musicians, and the times.
Most importantly, gave me a better understanding of this complex person and genius who has influenced music so profoundly.
Enjoy.

Very Worth Reading

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I hardly ever write these reviews, but this is such a wonderful book that I had to tell everyone. I have read a lot of biographies in my life and this has to be one of the most haunting and beautiful of them all. I recommend it highly.

Wonderful

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