Monk's Music

"This is Thelonious Monk's music in the most complete sense. These sessions have been particularly valued for the presence of Coleman Hawkins and John Coltrane, two saxophone giants from different generations. Some accounts of the recordings devote more space to the horns than to the leader. So listen carefully to how humbly Coltrane plays on "Ruby My Dear". He was still an emerging artist, to be sure, but his command of the instrument was complete and he didn't usually play with this reserve. Hawkins, by contrast, is determined to make his presence felt. He even comes in at the wrong place a couple of times." - PENGUIN GUIDE TO JAZZ