Thelonious Monk Quartet with Johnny Griffin Thelonious in Action

Thelonious Monk Riverside Records Classic on 180g Vinyl!
Mastered AAA by Kevin Gray from the Original Analog Master Tapes!
Pressed at QRP!
"Thelonious in Action" was recorded live at the Five Spot in Manhattan on August 7, 1958, in the same sessions where "Misterioso" was created. The Five Spot, one of New York's most famous jazz venues, was where Monk first stepped into the limelight. He was accompanied by tenor saxophonist Johnny Griffin, drummer Roy Haynes and bassist Ahmed Abdul-Malik. They recorded two memorable albums of classic monk repertoire (the present one is the first).
From the moment Monk's fingers touch the keys of the opening track "Light Blue", the listener is transported into a world of musical virtuosity and improvisational brilliance. Monk leads the quartet through a series of electrifying performances that are as daring as they are captivating.
Despite various reissue formats over several decades, the seven original LPs contained in Thelonious Monk - The Riverside Tenor Sessions stood perfectly well on their own at the time of initial release and remain among the highest achievements of a truly golden age. Recorded and released between 1956 and 1961, these seven Monk combo albums were critical in Monk's emergence from a decade of ridicule and neglect to his status at the pinnacle of the jazz pantheon.
For Thelonious in Action, Monk recorded live at the Five Spot Café in the Bowery neighborhood of Manhattan on August 7, 1958, at the same sessions that produced Misterioso. One of New York's most celebrated jazz rooms, the Five Spot is where Monk first emerged into the spotlight. With him on this date was tenor saxophonist Johnny Griffin, drummer Roy Haynes, and bassist Ahmed Abdul-Malik. They created two highly memorable in-performance albums (of which this is the first) of classic Monk repertoire.
From the moment Monk's fingers touch the keys on the opening track, "Light Blue," the listener is transported into a world of musical virtuosity and improvisational brilliance. Monk leads the quartet through a series of electrifying performances that are as daring as they are captivating.
In addition to some of his best recorded piano performances and more than two dozen of his profoundly personal compositions, the albums in this reissue series provide an overview of the era's major tenor saxophonists, with contributions by Sonny Rollins, Coleman Hawkins, John Coltrane, Johnny Griffin, Charlie Rouse and Harold Land. Max Roach, Art Blakely, Roy Haynes and Thad Jones are among the other jazz immortals featured on the essential Brilliant Corners, Monk's Music: Thelonious Monk Septet, Thelonious Monk and John Coltrane, Thelonious in Action, Misterioso, 5 by Monk by 5 and Quartet Plus Two at the Blackhawk.

Features:

• Mastered AAA by Kevin Gray from the Original Analog Master Tapes
• 180g Vinyl
• Pressed at Quality Record Pressings (QRP)
• Stoughton Printing Tip-On Jacket

Musicians:

• Johnny Griffin, tenor sax
• Thelonious Monk, piano
• Ahmed Abdul-Malik, bass
• Roy Haynes, drums

Selections:

Side A
1. Light Blue
2. Coming On The Hudson
3. Rhythm-a-ning
4. Epistrophy (theme)
Side B
1. Blue Monk
2. Evidence
3. Epistrophy (theme)