BillF

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I always felt unhappy about this one because of Danny Richmond's "speeding up". Am I the only one to feel like this?

Yes, Robin Kelley got the year right, but IIRC said that Monk's extreme delay in appearing on stage occurred in Milan. It happened on that tour, but in Manchester. After a long wait, an embarrassed-looking John Ore came out and played a bass solo. He went off stage, only to return and play another solo. Eventually Monk appeared and things got going. It's a while since I read Kelley, but IIRC he says that George Wein was backstage trying to urge the reluctant Thelonious.

It was in April 1961, not 1960, and I was there at the Free Trade Hall, Manchester. There were only two sets, Blakey on first, Monk second. Even then, it was difficult to get Monk out on stage.