brilliant corners

Thelonious Monk assembled a group of jazz giants for the recording of the organized chaos of this provocative and experimental tour de force. Orrin Keepnews produced the sessions for 'Brilliant Corners' with Monk playing piano and celeste; Ernie Henry on alto saxophone; Sonny Rollins on tenor saxophone; Clark Terry on trumpet; Oscar Pettiford and Paul Chambers on double bass; and Max Roach on drums and tympani.  This complex and mesmerizing collection was the first of his albums on the Riverside label to include originals. The interplay between these top notch musicians changes gears quickly and makes for stunningly energetic solos and breathtakingly tender soul that ranks among some of Monk's best work.  







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The difficult title track was pieced together from over a dozen different takes.  

"Ba-Lue Bolivar Ba-Lues Are" is a sophisticated blues epic.

"Pannonica" is named after Monk's friend Pannonica de Koenigswarter.

"I Surrender, Dear" by Harry Barris is the only solo performance on the album. 




"Bemsha Swing" (Thelonious Monk, Denzil Best) 

'Brilliant Corners'

full album:

1. Brilliant Corners (00:00)

2. Ba-lue Bolivar Ba-lues-are (07:45)

3. Pannonica (20:54)

4. I Surrender, Dear (29:44)

5. Bemsha Swing (35:12)