Monk encyclopedia topics

Monk, Thelonius (Thelonius Sphere Monk), 1917-82, American jazz pianist, composer, and arranger, b. Rocky Mount, N.C. Monk is considered one of the most important, and eccentric, figures in modern jazz. He spent most of his life in New York City, playing in nightclubs; in the 1940s he was one of the first players of bop. His style is astringent, marked by discordant harmonies, alternating rhythms, and melodic interpretations. There is a subtle mixture of cynicism, humor, and warmth in his interpretations. Among the many jazz pieces Monk composed, the best known is probably "Round Midnight." Others that have become standards include "Monk's Mood," "Straight No Chaser," "Crepuscule with Nellie," and "Epistrophy."

See biography by L. Gourse (1997); study ed. by R. Van Der Bliek (2001); C. Zwerin, dir., Thelonious Monk: Straight No Chaser (documentary film, 1989).

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Licensed from Columbia University Press

Monk, Meredith Jane

Monk, Meredith Jane, 1942-, American dancer, choreographer, composer, and filmmaker, b. Lima, Peru, grad. Sarah Lawrence College, 1964. A major figure in the avant-garde, she began her career in the 1960s as a choreographer with the experimental Judson Dance Theater, N.Y.C. In 1968 she formed her own performance group, The House. Monk is best known for innovative ensemble performance pieces. These often concern a journey or quest, sometimes incorporate video or film, and are unified by a continuing stream of rather minimalist music and expressive movement. Her compositions are mainly vocal, ranging from solos (e.g., Our Lady of Late, 1972) to large chorales, and she has recorded several albums of her own songs. The 40-character multimedia theater piece Quarry (1976) is widely recognized as her masterpiece. Monk's other works include the "epic" Vessel (1971), the film Book of Days (1988), and the opera Atlas (1991).

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Licensed from Columbia University Press

Monk, George

Monk, George: see Monck, George, 1st duke of Albemarle.

The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia Copyright © 2004.
Licensed from Columbia University Press

Monk, Meredith (Jane)

(born Nov. 20, 1942, Lima, Peru) Peruvian-born U.S. composer and performance artist. She was raised in Connecticut and New York and attended Sarah Lawrence College. She soon formed her first group, The House (1968), to explore extended vocal techniques (many learned from study of other cultures) in combination with dance, film, theatre, and other elements, in genre-defying works such as Juice (1969). One of the original creators of performance art, she has remained unique and unclassifiable.

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Encyclopedia Britannica, 2008. Encyclopedia Britannica Online.