Thelonious Monk 1917-82

Singer, songwriter and composer Laura Mvula chooses 

- Laura Mvula

IN PROFILE

Thelonious Monk was a pioneering pianist and composer in the American jazz scene of the 1940s, 50s and 60s. Known for his improvisational style, he composed such classics as 'Blue Monk, Well, You Needn't', and "Round Midnight'. One of only five jazz musicians to appear on the cover of Time magazine, he is among the most-recorded jazz composers in history. In 1982, Monk died of a stroke aged 64 after a period of declining health.

When did you first hear about Monk? When I was around 11 or 12. My Dad was a huge jazz head and, like Monk, a passionate improviser on the piano. Being the man of the house he dictated what music was played and it was always things like Miles Davis, John Coltrane and Thelonious Monk. When I first heard Monk, I was initially scared of his music because it was so different to anything else that I'd heard up to that point.