Thelonious Monk and John Coltrane

AMG Review of Thelonious Monk and John Coltrane

Scott Yanow
All Music Guide

Much of the music on this two-LP set is quite essential for any serious jazz library (all of it is also included in Monk's giant 15-CD box set The Complete Riverside Recordings). Although Thelonious Monk and John Coltrane played together for several months in 1957, until the discovery of a live tape (which has been issued on Blue Note), the music on this two-fer (which includes several tracks with a larger group that also features Coleman Hawkins, "Monk's Mood" by a trio with bassist Wilbur Ware, and three outstanding tracks with a quartet) was all that existed of their historic collaboration. Coltrane developed rapidly during his period with Monk and he is heard in brilliant form on "Trinkle, Tinkle" and "Nutty."