Thelonious Monk Piano Solo - 'Round Midnight

Monk performing his tune "'Round Midnight". Recorded December 15th 1969

[@dsinanan43]

Nobody has mastered timing better than this man here. Always seemingly late, yet ALWAYS on time.

[@galicius]

I was fortunate to have heard and “met” Mr. Monk in the early 1970’s during his appearance at the Village Vanguard. He was accompanied by a trio including a tenor a saxophone but Mr. Monk’s participation was very minimal. During a break I used a men’s room. There was no one else inside and in walked Mr. Monk. I seized the opportunity and addressed him in a brash manner using his first name with something like “How about ‘Round Midnight?” Mr. Monk looked at me with very moist eyes that I have a clear memory of and did not say anything. I was thrilled however that when his quartet returned and after another tune he began my request. These are the most memorable jazz minutes.

[@peternemeth1777]

Great story. Thanks for sharing.

[@frankvignolaeducation3315]

That's one of the greatest stories I have ever heard. Thank you. He must have truly been thrilled to have received that request.

[@Hedonkeviik]

What are moist eyes?

[@glennhecker4422]

@@Hedonkeviik Could mean that he was moved to the brink of tears by the request...? Not sure

[@raimoroine5331]

I saw him in Helsinki with Dizzy Gillespie, and his solo in 'Round Midnight silenced the whole hall... ☺

[@Slabbers]

The man who could play round corners - endlessly surprising, no matter how many times you listen. Just wonderful.

[@marda145]

My right ear enjoyed it...

[@ajacobs100]

+marda145 my left ear enjoyed it. I had the headphones the wrong way around.

[@nicholemccray5684]

+marda145 Right! 😂

[@richardsidler]

Thought it was my board again.

[@diplamatikjuan3595]

my left ear was jealous as hell

[@jeremydyar7566]

Such a great rendition, such a shitty recording

[@raulsouza5866]

I find Monk's solo reditions always so entertaining to watch...it's like his fully free.

[@SuperMartin223]

Greatest jazz tune ever, in my opinion. And the most unique pianist ever, probably.

[@drbekken]

People need to get away from the tyranny of 'perfectionism', and learn to appreciate unique artistic expression such as this. There is nobody who will ever be able to play piano in this manner, anywhere in the world. Monk was his own man, fully and completely. Respect.

[@thelonious76]

sorry, but I think this is perfect. Maybe beyond perfectionism ; )

[@adesewaiwalewa7621]

I find it interesting that we allow visual artists to create in multiple visual techniques but not audible artist.

[@vittoriorabagliati8532]

that's absolutely the point, Dr Bekken

[@marcrabary7912]

@@vittoriorabagliati8532 -0q

[@carlysevero7921]

This guy was a genius.... ❤️ You Thelonious Sphere Monk.... I could play this song a million times....

[@irokosalei5133]

1:18 The guy is so good he can bend notes on an acoustic piano. (even before Herbie on synth, holy shit!)

[@ajacobs100]

+IrokoSalei Hahahaha

[@bome1362]

How tho??

[@adeniji24]

This made me laugh uncontrollably at the middle of the night. Nice comment m8 :P

[@ergbudster3333]

@@bome1362 Creative dissonance.

[@danjv]

Monk said he's interested in the sounds between the keys.

[@BrianRussick]

Some Monk & Bill Evans is all I need for eternity

[@ciousli]

"Thelonious Monk is an example of an exceptionally uncorrupted creative talent. He has accepted the challenges that one must accept to forge a music utilizing the jazz process. Because he lacks, perhaps fortunately, exposure to the Western classical music tradition or, for that matter, comprehensive exposure to any music other than jazz and American popular music, his reflections of formal superficialities and their replacement with fundamental structure has resulted in a unique and astoundingly pure music. Make no mistake. This man knows exactly what he is doing in a theoretical way - organized, more than likely, in a personal terminology, but strongly organized nevertheless. We can be further grateful to him for combining aptitude, insight, drive, compassion, fantasy, and whatever else makes the "total" artist, and we should also be grateful for such direct speech in an age of insurmountable conformist pressures. In a recent 'Down Beat' Blindfold Test, I was played a Thelonious Monk track. I might repeat here part of my reaction: Monk approaches the piano and, I should add right now, music as well, from an "angle" that, although unprecedented, is just the right "angle" for him. Perhaps this is the major reason for my feeling the same respect and admiration for his work that I do for Erroll Garner's, though they might seem poles apart to the casual listener. Each seems to me as great as any man can be great if he works true to his talents, neither over nor underestimating them and, most important, functions within his limitations. You will experience an absolutely inimitable performance when you listen to this recording and bless the beauty of the fact that there just ain't no other like it. To exemplify this is a noble accomplishment and testimony to an exceptional, worthwhile life." -- BILL EVANS

[@NikkoWhitworth]

Unfortunately Bill is completely wrong that Monk was illiterate of Western classical music, as his first real piano teacher was actually a classical violinist who taught Monk pieces by Mozart, Lizst, Beethoven etc...

[@ciousli]

Yes that is true. His early life was extensively researched in the book "Thelonious Monk: The Life and Times of an American Original" by Robin DG Kelley. This biography states that he listened to his sister practicing classical piano music from an early age. He also once said "I learned how to read before I took lessons". It is said that he started to play piano when he was 6 years old. He was an autodidact until the age of 11. After that he studied with his first real piano teacher Simon Wolf. "The kinds of exercises he gave Thelonious came out of the books of Liszt, Chopin, Rachmaninoff. These were the composers Monk was drawn to; Bach, Beethoven to a lesser degree." Monk knew classical music and he had listened to it. But it's important to see, that although he played it to some degree, he was a church organist and folk song player, not a classical musician. All his following teachers were stride pianists and jazz players. He probably never had the time to really dig into classical like Bill Evans did. I mean, Bills words are to be taken relative to the level those guys achieved, and relative to Bills own perspective on music as a capable classical pianist.

[@carlaserio7444]

My Heart Is singing along.

[@melf9361]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/aJS9Zahvj8d2Y5Y

[@Gorboduc]

There's a tape somewhere purporting to be Monk playing Chopin at home, the Revolutionary Etude if I recall correctly.

[@atombomb31458]

this is a piece of heaven that I enjoy listening to as much as I like listening to chopin

[@Kalonjikala]

Monk played this tune thousands of times and Im sure he probably never played it the same way twice.Ive heard many versions . Sometimes solo and sometimes with an ensemble but always to his audience and under great duress due to his mental health problems. The notion that he was probably on psychotropics when he played this makes it all the more amazing. This man played for little money most of his career so clearly he loved what he did for the current and future generations.

[@79Tomasso]

Always introspective, never predictable. His timing is insane.

[@WesternStatesTrailMuseum]

Monk's music resonates with my soul.

[@brooklynjazzdoc5611]

Poster/producer: Thank you. Hard to find and unappreciated solo. This guy started something very big. He made a paragraph out of two words! He used rests like most use multiple measures. Such a talent. Alex above got it so right!

[@larrycourtneyjr.126]

Thelonius Sphere Monk, one of the true giants of jazz and of 20th century popular music. That is a great performance of a great tune. Monk is one of just a handful of artists who always makes me think," I wonder what he thought about as he was playing that?" Always unique and fresh, always coming up with new ideas in a classic piece of material he's played countless times.For me , the most compelling and fascinating figure in the history of jazz.

[@VicViper26]

Well, as Thelonious said, "Pianos don't have any wrong notes!"

[@edwardskinner651]

What gets me is that he had to hear this first in his mind to play it. Astounding! Pure genius.

[@GjaP_242]

Thelonious Sphere Monk was an American composer and jazz pianist who contributed to the cool jazz, hard bop, and bebop styles of music. He was a classically trained pianist. 6:09 [jazz org blog; MasterClass]

[@billcarson9402]

I simply can stop to listen a this every day , so deep and moving what an outstanding musician , I truly enjoy listen him on this MONO version ❤ RIP legend Icon of all jazz musicians

[@127eadgbe]

One of the most fascinating people in jazz. Respect.

[@TheLazaster]

this man looks like hes playing the piano for the first time, but that subtle hesitation adds to the whole feeling of this masterpiece

[@Kenofit]

When the ears hear truly genuine and artistic talent; we sometimes can't conceptualize that this is actually what our ears are hearing.

[@mohrobati554]

this is by far the best jazz performance i've ever seen

Beautiful harmonics. Monk never wasted a note. Never said more than needed saying. That was simply amazing playing.

[@flplay2379]

Mr. Monk is Jimmy Hendrix of piano jazz...Such unfinished beauty , different rhythmic dynamic, beautifully dissonance , each tone hits you right in the heart..The greatest ever

[@klaus8456]

Thelonious Monk is the Thelonious Monk of the Piano, I think that is the better saying...

[@peterfilardo9380]

brilliant remark/comparison between Monk & Jimi

[@stevenjosephs9]

Jimi

[@ahvidharris3732]

I know you mean well, but Hendrix lived his entire life within Monk's - If anything, Hendrix was the Monk of guitar ; But factually, and stylistically-> they were just themselves

[@MastanehNazarian]

The master and the master of cadence.

[@Cpt_Guirk]

The trick here is how he rythmically swings back and forth between dissonance to consonance.

[@oriraykai3610]

That's beautiful. Someone should transcribe that and sell it as a piece of classical music because it is.

[@homePicShow1]

this tune is a masterpiece

[@GjaP_242]

Round Midnight is Thelonious Monk's most famous composition. Written in the key of Eb Minor, the 6 flats in the key signature take some getting used to but the tune contains lots of interesting chord changes and harmonic movements. 3:46 [PianoGroove]

[@GjaP_242]

“Round Midnight” is Thelonious Monk’s best-known jazz composition and carries the grand distinction of being the most-recorded jazz standard written by any jazz musician. 5:35 [Jazz Standards]

[@calvinlewis8924]

There is only one category left beyond the best. As the late fight manager trainer Angelo Dundee once said: “ this is a whole other ballgame “ Thelonius Monk was that other ballgame.

[@josecamilo1640]

Monk is the espistome of an art!! Period!!!!!!!!

[@joeb434]

His lack of conventional keyboard dexterity actually adds to his creativity. Never realized this before. Wow, what a post!

[@charlesdaragon]

A genius is a genius and never dont mind. He is the freedon of music... music with large wings! simply a genius!

[@lizhahn9474]

THIS is blowing my mind ... he has to be one of Keith Jarretts greatest influences

[@miguelherrera6762]

I always want to hear Monk played by Monk. Genius.

[@torontoBluejays87]

Monk was a master. Don't be fooled, this man could play, and play with perfect precision. His time was unlike anything you will ever hear. I think the only person who I could listen to as much solo piano is Tatum. 3am and still sipping on a whiskey listening to Monk...life is good. BTW I play piano but am about 1/1000 of the player Monk is and have been playing for over 20 years.

[@josetato]

Been playing for 20 years and I donno what do you find so great about his playing.

[@jacquelinedowney5736]

Your honesty is WONDERFUL,,,I deeply related to your words "1/000 of the player Monk is [etc] I'm a piano player who gave up when I came to the same conclusion as did you! Thank you for your comment.

[@irokosalei5133]

I'm sure your better than 1/1000

[@torontoBluejays87]

His imagination was incredible. Don't want to start a "youtube war" but I defy you to upload anything you play that comes close to Monk's solo piano performances. I will be waiting.

[@torontoBluejays87]

Didn't give up. I still love playing. Just so much respect for this man. Even Bud Powell, who was a close friend and possibly one of the most influential pianists, was in awe of Monk.

[@Stephanie9959]

This composition is dense with unique cords, tempo and dark tones.

[@fabiopalma4429]

Genius composer, pianist and improviser

[@GjaP_242]

6:49!

[@ALexKaffee]

Wow, this guy is lifting the piano (1:04) without the slightest hint of a wink not to speak of playing a wrong note. That, dear friends, is true mastery. Body and soul!

[@samjoynermusic]

There is nothing to say...The music speaks for itself...We are so busy trying to see and hear where Monk is going nobody wants to stop to write a comment...

[@DihelsonMendonca]

The first time I heard Monk, I thought it was a joke, like a drummer playing the piano without having any class before, but knowing the notes. Monk had the most weird technique on the history of the piano. At first sight, one could swear he´s anything, but a pianist. It´s astonishing even how he can play this way without so many wrong notes. Look that his fingers are always on the horizontal plane, contrary to all piano teaching so far. But, obviously he was a genius in himself and he did many good compositions, like this classic one. We can´t compare touches, but listen to Monk play, and listen to Bill Evans...two different schools, two diferent touches, but both genius.

[@jesusislordsavior6343]

Nice commentary there, very well said. I was baffled by Monk at first, but I figured that there must be a reason for his reputation, so I kept listening from time to time. I'm pretty sure that Monk knew the 'right' way to play, and fashioned his awkward approach deliberately, to achieve the sound he wanted. Toleration of wrong notes was part of his aesthetic; toleration of rhythmic imprecision, not so much! He said that one didn't have to be a percussionist to play in time, which is true in classical music as well. If one listens to enough of his work, one finds that he had excellent facility, at least in the right hand. But he wasn't much interested in display, rather in form, color, mood, and of course rhythm. As an ensemble player and a composer of minimalist tendencies, I guess he didn't need to sound like a one-man orchestra either. When Waller, Hines, Wilson, Tatum, Garner, or Peterson played, there was an awful lot more going on. They also had bigger paws, exceptional paws. There is one solo piece of his, 'Ruby, My Dear', where he uses richer textures reminiscent of a big band. But the tone is hard and percussive, the impression cold and rigid. It's pretty weird IMO, but obviously he did what he wanted.

[@barryo5158]

Those are the right notes!

[@charlesbarry6730]

The master of dissonance.

[@yaelquiroz4411]

💪

[@ergbudster3333]

Ah. Very wise. Knows how to listen. I've seen the unknowing say things like "Oh that guy is making mistakes ha ha!" Sad to be that ignorant but oh well. Discernment is hard won and doesn't go to everyone. Cheers.

[@Hytsuprofs]

yep the King of Harmony !

[@sallybowles2781]

ok, I listened to 20 versions, this is my personal favourite - followed by Davis, Jarrett, Rollins, Gillespie, Chet Baker, Bill Evans - THANK YOU youtube!

[@Technolasco]

This man is a genius, not everyone will understand his music or style! :)

[@ccaammiinniiito2]

True! You nailed it!

[@Garramedia]

The word "understand" is a loaded weapon...I don't understand trees or the smell of flowers but I love them

[@edwardskinner651]

what makes his "genius" is that he had to hear what he's playing in his head first. truly amazing.

[@elmyr4art]

Just on those days when you wrote your note one pianist understood and plays his interpretation on The Lincoln Center NY invited by Wynton Marsalis. I am pretty sure that dear Thelonious Monk hum in his grave "I live again" - when Joey Alexander plays Round Midnight

[@emidiotedeschi9905]

Marv TechNolasko gb

[@dylanmorgan7900]

monk makes the same sound no matter what piano he plays. sign of a true master

[@bluemonk9480]

I know it's not on purpose but the modulation at 1:19 is so hip!!

[@BrunoGebarski]

Amazing, brilliant, incredible preternatural and out of this world: Thelonious Monk par excellence! Bebop Jazz to the utmost humanly impossible chord development and combination only Monk can be credited for! Round Midnight represents the excellence of Wolfgang Amadeous Mozart's Requiem or Ludwig Van Beethoven's Appassionata Piano Sonata in Jazz Bebop version...

[@hyperdog67]

@ALexKaffee You are so right...this is quite possibly the most beautiful piece of music I've ever heard in my life.It has the capacity to bring you to tears or just smile.

[@petermills2061]

Thelonious Monk & draught Bass got me through a rotten year in Birmingham 1980 !

[@markbra]

Master of the bitter,sweet. Acid, Alkaline.

[@PolarChimes]

Wonderful music. It evokes a spacious feeling. I imagine now a sphere inside which innumerable processes work together in a unity that unpredictably ruptures into tension before resolving again. It is alive by being this churning uncertainty.

[@FlaThunderstorm]

PolarChimes One of the prettiest jazz pieces ever written. Monk was an incredible composer because he understood harmony, counterpoint, and melody line better than most.

[@FlaThunderstorm]

I have listened to many other pianists play Round Midnight. But, I always keep coming back the Monk for the best adaption of this piece. Saw him a few times at the 5 Spot in the Villages, Manhattan. Don't know if he ever did Birdland as I never saw him there. His one and only wife, Nellie Smith, was with him for 33 years until his death at 64. A true icon of jazz idiom he was.

[@GH-oi2jf]

Monk wrote it, so I think others have adapted it, but not Monk.

[@raulsouza5866]

Like the other guy said, not an adaptation, but Monk himself made that piece. But that said, I also prefer Monk's version in the end of the day, over Miles, Joe Pass, or any other... Maybe Baden Powell's acoustic guitar version is a close second favorite of mine.

[@skeefoopanama]

Hes so good,that its hard to grasp at first,he has a deep understanding of what hes doing,and why its being done.A true Master,The best improvising,Ive ever heard.

[@faquino3]

the version is so beautiful!!!

[@kwixotic]

And he could play it three hours later and improvise it so well, you'd be in awe of the result.

[@FR-ty5vn]

Extraordinary player...!!!

[@RSTAR2009]

Exactly! All of my piano instructors explained the importance of NOT playing with "flat" fingers. Art was creative melodically and digitally ( God he was quick digitally ). But, like Oscar Peterson stated Thelonious was more of a songwriter than a "digital" pianist. This music video of "'Round Midnight " is sensational!

[@pontyflora]

He was destined to become a great.a unique personality.

[@Jazz313]

I wish I could have met him ❤I can live throughout your experience. Thanks for sharing

[@ianmorton4136]

The tern "genius" is the most overused word in the English language. Thelonius Monk is one of the few who really deserved to be called a musical genius.

[@a.rizapahlevi9659]

If said that Joey just listened and learned this tune by ears and he just could play it, so... both musicians are really incredible.... Yes, Joey took some licks and runs exactly the same, but he is selftaught. Amazing....

[@RanBlakePiano]

Music for eternity .i thank Ralph. Ellison for putting me in touch w Nica

[@fedjadjadja]

Such a master, if jazz would be star wars, the monk would be no doubt yoda, the secret eccentric master controlling the strings

[@forlotta2066]

this is his best performance I can find, shame it's such low quality

[@geofffafenrodt5139]

Those minor 2...Genius...Love the maestro...❤

[@yepheth]

probably the greatest composer in the modern era.

[@fartguy69]

To say his style is unorganized is really naive and ridiculous. He created a whole method of playing chords that is completely unique and consistent. I feel bad for the people that can't hear the beauty in his style. But then again maybe I don't because once I heard Monk his was the only piano playing I could listen to. He's the best musician of the 20th century. Any genre.

[@ArthurKaletzky]

@2ffart Genius description of Monk's genius on piano! Striding, lyrical romanticism with a painful blister or cramp of a love possibly already lost.

[@marcusaurelius9139]

Masterpiece 🎹

[@valeriesmith15]

Brilliant piece!

[@louismarcell]

Every bad note is good ! One

[@alopuhin]

За одну только эту мелодию - он навеки святой и навечно останется в культуре и памяти человечества!..

[@marikcasmon3729]

My favorite jazz pianist.

[@jazzlars7122]

Wonderful!

[@gustavojavierbarrera8296]

«Sentimos el vacío de Thelonious apartado del borde del piano, el interminable diástole de un solo inmenso corazón donde laten todas nuestras sangres, y del piano, el oso se balancea amablemente y regresa nube a nube hacia el teclado, lo mira como por primera vez, pasea por el aire los dedos indecisos, los deja caer y estamos salvados, hay Thelonious capitán, hay rumbo por un rato». Julio Cortázar. La vuelta al día en ochenta mundos.

[@user-qt7zf5dk9u]

モンクのラウンドミッドナイト好きです。唯一無二です。他のラウンドミッドナイトとは別物です

[@PaulWalker-lk3gi]

The Master at Work

[@EMCEMITCH]

Check out "Monk in Wonderland." That is a piece written for him celebrating his music composed by Grachan Moncur. Monk told Grachan that is was his favorite song written about him!

[@markrevelle1]

most of the jazz world's great soloists from Bill Evans to Keith Jarret have recorded Monk's tune. None comes close to this.

[@kwixotic]

What you'll notice is that he plays with fingers perfectly straight which is NOT what's taught by most of the piano teachers; they stress you need to play with curved fingers, yet even Horowitz didn't play that way.

[@gamertooth17]

An almost percussive style of playing for chords, I think. I can dig that. :)

[@rickdavenport9538]

Amazing!!!!!

[@123must]

Superb ! Thanks

[@erminiocastaldi6203]

grandissimo Thelonious

[@johnwhitehead3360]

Classic - Thank You

[@str3123]

Thx for sharing this gem!

[@123must]

No words. Only listening to ! A lot of thanks

[@docmarc36]

evidence that composition makes for greatness more so than virtuosity on an instrument.

[@GregorasProject]

Monk was a virtuoso in his own way! :)

[@ClassicalOJazz]

@TheMrsFarenheit The Genius of Dissonant Harmony. Period.

[@globaljazzman]

like drink after playing feeling very cool

[@samaysuragimath2056]

My right ear enjoyed this

[@FREDDIEHUBBARDMUSIC]

My second favorite Jazz Musician..

[@saxophonemaniac09]

Who's your favourite?

[@mlzellers]

saxophonemaniac09 my guess would be Freddie Hubbard

[@komangwirawan4408]

+FRED HUBBARD my guess would be Joey Alexander

[@aiekmeeisnhdye]

+saxophonemaniac09 Kenny G

[@ROBERTORRRR1]

Unbelievable ❤

[@drumtwo4seven]

That was fn awesome 👍

[@Tuathadestrider]

I don't see what's so objectionable about that sentiment. To each his own, right? I prefer Monk's version, but if other versions makes you happier, go for it and listen to those!! As long as music is making people happier, we should all be content.

[@nielsfick1646]

Helt vidunderlige Mr. Monk. Hvilken fabelagtig musikker. Niels - Denmark

[@josetex]

I'm a classical player and I lol'd so hard with your comment, about the bad fingering, not in a bad way I mean...

[@TheMightyKingzuru]

My ears brought me here.

[@bed-of-roses]

Those scan-lines are almost as elaborate and elegant

[@kevinjackson2765]

My exceptionally good taste for music brought me here