Thelonious Monk

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Peter Gidal

Francis Bacon, John Blake

Includes 'portraits' of Marianne Faithfull, Thelonious Monk and 28 others, some known, some less so.

Jazz Icons: Thelonious Monk Live in '66

Thelonious Monk, Ben Riley

Thelonious Monk features two intimate concerts filmed three days apart in Scandanavia in the Spring of 1966 with a legendary quartet that includes drummer Ben Riley, bassist Larry Gales and tenor saxophonist Charlie Rouse. Thelonious Monk revolutionized jazz with his innovative musical approach and these remarkable performances allow viewers the rare opportunity to experience Monk’s genius up close on his classic compositions “Blue Monk,” “Epistrophy” and “’Round Midnight.”

Jazz on a Summer's Day

Bert Stern, Aram Avakian

Louis Armstrong, Mahalia Jackson

Set at the Newport jazz festival in 1958, this documentary mixes images of water and the town with performers and audience. The film progresses from day to night and from improvisational music to Gospel. It's a concert film that suggests peace and leisure, jazz at a particular time and place.

It Must Schwing - Die Blue Note Story

Eric Friedler

Alfred Lion, Herbie Hancock

A documentary about the legendary jazz label Blue Note Records and its German founders Alfred Lion and Francis Wolff. As jews they had to flee Germany and the Hitler regime in the late 1930s. In New York they wrote music history with their record label Blue Note Records.

Thelonious Monk: Straight, No Chaser

Charlotte Zwerin

Jimmy Cleveland, Thelonious Monk

A documentary film about the life of pianist and jazz great Thelonious Monk. Features live performances by Monk and his band, and interviews with friends and family about the offbeat genius.

Monk

Christian Blackwood, Michael Blackwood

Thelonious Monk

Part one of a two-part portrait of the great Jazz composer and pianist. In 1968, we had the opportunity to spend time with Thelonious Monk and his musicians, following him in New York and Atlanta. In New York his quartet plays at the Village Vanguard and at recording sessions for Columbia Records; in Atlanta they appear at a Jazz Festival organized by George Wein. The members of the quartet were Charlie Rouse, Larry Gales, and Ben Riley.

Piano Blues

Clint Eastwood

Ray Charles, Dave Brubeck

Director — and piano player — Clint Eastwood explores his life-long passion for piano blues, using a treasure trove of rare historical footage in addition to interviews and performances by such living legends as Pinetop Perkins and Jay McShann, as well as Dave Brubeck and Marcia Ball.

Blue Note Records: Beyond the Notes

Sophie Huber

Don Was, Herbie Hancock

Explore the vision behind the iconic American jazz record label. Since 1939, Blue Note artists have been encouraged to push creative boundaries in search of uncompromising expressions. Through current recording sessions, rare archive and conversations with iconic Blue Note artists, the film reveals an intimate perspective of a legacy that continues to be vital in today’s political climate.

Monk in Europe

Christian Blackwood, Michael Blackwood

Thelonious Monk

Part two of a two-part portrait of the great Jazz composer and pianist. On his European tour his quartet was joined by Ray Copeland, Clark Terry, Phil Woods, and Johnny Griffin. They traveled as part of George Wein’s Newport Jazz Festival road company to London, Stockholm, Copenhagen, Berlin, Mainz, and Rotterdam.

Bert Stern: Original Madman

Shannah Laumeister Stern

Bert Stern, Louis Armstrong

The untold and intimate life story of one of the greatest American photographers of all time, Bert Stern. After working alongside Stanley Kubrick at Look Magazine, Stern became an original Madison Avenue 'mad man', his images helping to create modern advertising. Ground-breaking photos of Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton, Marilyn Monroe and Twiggy, coupled with his astonishing success in advertising, minted Stern as a celebrity in his own right.

Thelonious Monk Quartet at Salle Pleyel, Paris, 1969

Thelonious Monk

Thelonious Monk entered a long phase of introspection and cancelled his concert schedule after 1968. He disbanded his quartet with Charlie Rouse, stopped recording for a while, and only performed sporadically. This complete 1969 performance at the famous Salle Pleyel in Paris is one of his last concerts ever with Charlie Rouse. Contents (Paris-Black & White): I Mean You - Ruby, My Dear - Straight, No Chaser - Nutty - Blue Monk - Bright Mississippi - Light Blue - Epistrophy - Don'T Blame Me - 3 O'Clock In The Morning - Interview With Thelonious Monk - Crepuscule With Nellie. Bonus Tracks: Monk Solo in Berlin November 6, 1969 (Color): Sophisticated Lady - Caravan - Solitude. Thelonious Monk-Piano; Charlie Rouse-Tenor Sax; Nate Hygelund-Bass; Paris Wright-Drums; Philly Joe Jones-Drums on 4 and 5 Only.

Thelonious Monk: Paris 1969

Thelonious Monk, Charlie Rouse

Live archive release from the Jazz legend. Thelonious Monk Paris 1969 is a fascinating and important late-career document of the legendary Jazz pianist and composer in performance with his Quartet at the Salle Pleyel concert hall in Paris, France on December 15, 1969. The concert also featured a surprise guest appearance from renowned drummer Philly Joe Jones. Filmed in Black & White.