Thelonious Monk Plays Duke Ellington
Thelonious Monk Plays Duke Ellington is an album by jazz pianist Thelonious Monk that was released by Riverside in 1955. It was also released under the title Thelonious Monk Plays the Music of Duke Ellington. The album contains Monk's versions of songs by Duke Ellington. The album was reissued by Riverside on March 27, 2007, in the United States and on April 16, 2007, in the United Kingdom. Background Although Monk occasionally performed covers, he primarily played his own compositions. He had recorded several albums of originals during 1953-54 for his previous label, Prestige. But there was a perception, particularly among music critics, that Monk's music was "too difficult" for the mainstream public, and his Prestige albums sold poorly. After Riverside bought out Monk's contract in 1954 for slightly over $100, Riverside convinced Monk to record an entire album of Ellington tunes, an idea of record producer Orrin Keepnews. Monk's only 1955 session including his original compositions took place on October 15, and was released under the group name Gigi Gryce Quartet, occupying Side 2 of the album Nica's Tempo. As the next Riverside album, The Unique Thelonious Monk consisted of standards, it would be another year before Riverside Records