Blue Monk

"Blue Monk" is a jazz standard written by Thelonious Monk that has become one of his most enduring tunes. First recorded for the album Thelonious Monk Trio, it is a B flat blues and is similar to the jazz tune "Pastel Blue". <score vorbis="1" midi="1"> \relative c' { << \new ChordNames { \set chordChanges = ##t \chordmode { bes1 ees1 bes1~ bes4 bes2.:7} }

\new Staff { \tempo "Medium blues" \key bes \major d8 ees e f~ f2 | g8 gis a bes~ bes2 | f8 g f e ees e, cis' d~ | \times 2/3 { d8 des4 } c2 r4 | } >> } </score>

Performances

• 1958: Western Suite by Jimmy Giuffre
• 1960: The Great Kai & J.J. by J. J. Johnson and Kai Winding
• 1961: Straight Ahead by Abbey Lincoln (with lyrics by Abbey Lincoln)
• 1963: Nights of Ballads & Blues by McCoy Tyner
• 1973: A Night at Boomers, Vol. 2 by Cedar Walton
• 1974: Peruvian Blue by Kenny Barron
• 1976: As One by Richard Davis and Jill McManus
• 1978: Groovin' High by Hank Jones
• 1985: Songs of Love and Regret by Mal Waldron and Marion Brown (two takes)
• 1988: Carmen Sings Monk by Carmen McRae
• 1991: Twelve Frets to One Octave by Larry Coryell
• 2006: Echoes of the Sounds to Be by Derek Paravicini
• 2007: Abbey Sings Abbey by Abbey Lincoln