Thelonious Monk: A Biography of the Jazz Legend and Innovator

Thelonious Monk: The Life and Times of an American Original by Robin Kelley is one of the best Jazz Musician Biographies available. This book is bound and printed on high-quality paper, making it easy to read. Its attractive design makes it a great gift for any jazz enthusiast. With its comprehensive content and excellent presentation, you'll be sure to be satisfied with this book.

Key Features:

The Life and Times of an American Original is a captivating biography that delves into the remarkable life of an iconic figure in American history. Through an in-depth exploration of their formative years, career, and legacy, readers gain an intimate understanding of the individual’s impact on the nation. From the struggles of their upbringing to the triumphs of their accomplishments, this book provides an inspiring account of an individual who left an indelible mark on the country. With its vivid storytelling and insightful analysis, The Life and Times of an American Original is a must-read for anyone interested in learning about the life of a true American original.
88
B2B Rating
17 reviews

Review rating details

Value for money
87
Overall satisfaction
87
Giftable
87
Easy to read
85
Binding and page quality
80

Details of Thelonious Monk: A Biography of the Jazz Legend and Innovator

  • Hardcover ‏ ‎: 608 pages
  • Jazz Music (Books): Jazz Music
  • Community & Culture Biographies: Community & Culture Biographies
  • Language ‏ ‎: English
  • ISBN-10 ‏ ‎: 0684831902
  • Best Sellers Rank: #195 in Jazz Musician Biographies#901 in Jazz Music #15,999 in Community & Culture Biographies
  • ISBN-13 ‏ ‎: 978-0684831909
  • Publisher ‏ ‎: Free Press
  • Customer Reviews: 4.7/5 stars of 620 ratings
  • Jazz Musician Biographies: Jazz Musician Biographies
  • Dimensions ‏ ‎: 6.75 x 1.75 x 9.5 inches
  • Item Weight ‏ ‎: 2.1 pounds

Comments

tooth: 日本語版が高かったから購入しました。良かったです。

Japan on Nov 26, 2023

Tim Robinson: A comprehensive, balanced and thoroughly engaging biography of this genius of jazz. I really enjoyed this book and will continue to dive into Monk’s music.

Australia on Jul 22, 2023

felisfelix: Clair et précis. Bonne biographie avec contexte historique.

Canada on Jun 07, 2023

Kouin Karpenstein: I bought this book as a Christmas present for my father. He is a big jazz fan and he really liked it! Even though the book didn't look brand new, when it arrived, it is still a great product.

Japan on Jan 05, 2023

Runmentionable: Jazz biographies (and autobiographies) are prone to creating and perpetuating myths about performers. Kelley's authoritative and almost certainly definitive biography of Monk tries and succeeds in doing the exact opposite, and is a much-needed corrective to the unhelpful myths which still circulate about Monk nearly 35 years after his death. In particular, it shreds the notion of Monk as an idiot savant and instead portrays him as a complex man who, though he clearly struggled with mental illness and the difficult behaviour resulting from it, was fully engaged with his family as well as his art. In doing so, it makes that art seem all the greater by dispelling the notion it mysteriously came from an unworldly man-child, and showing that it came from hard work, skill and learning as well as from unique genius.

The book's success hinges on its detailed research, To indicate just how detailed that was, it took 14 years to write, nearly half of the Kindle edition consists of footnotes and an index, and the first draft was 70, 000 words longer than the published version. Kelley's approach is straightforward. A chronological account, with an unusually and laudably tight grip on...

United Kingdom on Jul 10, 2017

Simeon Stylites: As a longtime fan of Thelonious Monk's music, I looked forward to reading Robin D. G. Kelley's much acclaimed biography, only to find it a serious disappointment. A good biography tells a story, including detail, anecdote, recollection, etc. that help the reader better understand the life - inner and outer - of the subject. I do not believe that a biography needs to include details about every single moment of a person's life, especially if it shines absolutely no light on the subject matter. Yet, that's precisely what Kelley does here. This text is absolutely over-loaded, bloated with the utmost minutiae that would interest only an obsessive compulsive stalker of Monk's, not a reader who wants to actually learn something about the man himself, especially his personal philosophy, influences, thoughts, hopes, fears, etc. along with a sense of why we - the readers, the fans, the students - should actually care about him as a human beyond his music.

Kelley, however, offers little in that respect, instead he fools himself into thinking that he is elevating Monk by cluttering the text with details, names, and dates; and that, by doing so, he is actually telling a story,...

United States on Jan 24, 2011

J. Snyder: Thelonious Monk: The Life and Times of an American Original by Robin D.G. Kelley is a meticulously researched and engaging read that seeks to put the record straight without any chaser. Popular mythology about Monk tends to cast him as untrained, childlike and eccentric. Drawing upon a wealth of family documents, Kelley masterfully weaves a story that counters these myths and captures Monk's genius and his humanity with compassion and profound appreciation.

As an educator, I found myself drawn to the parts of the story that brought the people and local institutions that nourished Monk's musical creativity into vivid clarity. Very early on, Monk demonstrated a keen interest and talent in music, especially the piano. Growing up in Harlem during the early part of the twentieth century, his budding talents were nurtured thanks in part to his participation in an after school boys and girls club. At this youth center, Thelonious was able to begin his musical education and develop his piano playing. His mother, raising three children by herself, also provided a pivotal role in the young musician's life -- finding ways to provide him with piano at home and lessons to further hone...

United States on Feb 21, 2010

Thelonious Monk: A Biography of the Jazz Legend and Innovator The Storyteller: Inspiring Tales of Life and Music Guitar: Master the Circle of Fifths and Unlock Your Musical Potential
Thelonious Monk: A Biography of the Jazz Legend and Innovator The Storyteller: Inspiring Tales of Life and Music Guitar: Master the Circle of Fifths and Unlock Your Musical Potential
B2B Rating
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Total Reviews 17 reviews 803 reviews 154 reviews
Hardcover ‏ ‎ 608 pages 384 pages
Jazz Music (Books) Jazz Music
Community & Culture Biographies Community & Culture Biographies
Language ‏ ‎ English English English
ISBN-10 ‏ ‎ 0684831902 0063076098 1911267302
Best Sellers Rank #195 in Jazz Musician Biographies#901 in Jazz Music #15,999 in Community & Culture Biographies #5 in Rock Band Biographies#5 in Rock Music #22 in Actor & Entertainer Biographies #305 in Music Theory #774 in Guitars
ISBN-13 ‏ ‎ 978-0684831909 978-0063076099 978-1911267300
Publisher ‏ ‎ Free Press Dey Street Books; First Edition www.fundamental-changes.com
Customer Reviews 4.7/5 stars of 620 ratings 4.8/5 stars of 32,578 ratings 4.6/5 stars of 1,825 ratings
Jazz Musician Biographies Jazz Musician Biographies
Dimensions ‏ ‎ 6.75 x 1.75 x 9.5 inches 6 x 0.93 x 9 inches 8.5 x 0.15 x 11 inches
Item Weight ‏ ‎ 2.1 pounds 1.6 pounds 6.4 ounces
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