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Thelonious Monk is one of jazz's legendary figures, whose life story is shrouded in mystery. In the house trio at Harlem's hip, renowned Minton's Playhouse, he, along with trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie and drummer Kenny Clarke - and sometimes saxophonist Charlie Parker - helped mold the nascent style of bebop. Monk's compositions 'Round Midnight; Straight, No Chaser; Blue Monk; Misterioso; Rhythm-a-ning; and scores more have become classics in the jazz repertoire.

Monk's piano playing was so original that it has been widely emulated and praised, but never equaled. His personal life was also unique, including battles with mental and neurological conditions that finally led to his total, tragic withdrawal from recording an performing years before his death.