Posts tagged jazz
The Obtuse Brilliance of Thelonious Monk
Even the name possesses an obtuse ring: Thelonious Sphere Monk, words beyond reproach in the annals of the English language.
When I typed “Thelonious” into Microsoft Word, the jagged red lines of the “spell check” function instantly alerted me of a misspelling and offered ZERO suggestions for a correct spelling. That scenario perfectly encapsulates Thelonious Monk: [...]
Jazz As Juggernaut in Mingus’ Black Saint
Charles Mingus was a musician’s musician. Uncommonly talented, Mingus was the first bassist to transform his instrument from a rhythm-maker to the star of the ensemble.
A worshipper of Duke Ellington, Mingus’ compositions were kaleidoscopes of blue notes and sharps. Mingus’ odd sense of humor emerged in album titles like Mingus, Mingus, Mingus, Mingus, Mingus, and [...]
