Tag: Thelonius Monk

  • Hans Groiner – Jazz Legend

    Learn from the fingerings of a genius. Here is a Meisterklasse from der Meisterspieler himself. Groiner, a piano and accordion virtuoso from Austria, takes all the wrong stuff that he doesn’t like out of jazz. He is known around the world for his improvements of Monk tunes and has performed to packed houses at New York’s celebrated Smalls Club. (Larry…

  • Monky Business

    Some thoughts on whole-tone scales, altered scales and passing tones. Ah, Thelonius Sphere Monk (certainly no square). A very influential composer and performer. He was once described by a hip journo as “the high beast of prebop” (clever Spoonerism or a boozy lunch, you be the judge). Monk was actually an incredibly naturally gifted musician…