New Monk bio in progress by Robin Kelley

[ghost of miles]

Michael Fitzgerald and anybody else on the Coltrane list already know about this, but Robin D.G. Kelley, who wrote a fantastic book on African-American Communists in Alabama during the Depression entitled HAMMER AND HOE is at work on a biography of Thelonious Monk. Evidently he's been given great access to Monk's estate; this is the press release that was posted on the JC list:

"Award-winning author and scholar Robin D. G. Kelley, who has been

given

unprecedented access to the Thelonious Monk estate to write a biography

on

the legendary jazz musician, will visit Duke University's Center for

Documentary Studies (CDS) to conduct research and deliver a public

presentation, "Misterioso: In Search of Thelonious Monk," on August 26,

at 7

p.m. While at CDS, Kelley will be exploring the nature of Monk's

presence in

the jazz loft recordings of photographer W. Eugene Smith, which are

part of

an extensive ongoing research and oral history project at CDS.

In 1957 Smith moved into a loft building in Manhattan's flower

district, a

building that became a legendary haunt of such jazz musicians as

Thelonious

Monk, Zoot Sims, and Roland Kirk, along with countless underground

figures.

For seven years, Smith documented the scene -- both inside the building

and

through the windows -- with many thousands of photographs, and he wired

the

building like a studio and made nearly one thousand hours of stereo

audiotape of the music sessions, none of which had been seen or heard

publicly until recently. Smith's recordings capture the famously

private

Monk scoring charts and talking about his music with collaborator Hall

Overton, who was also a resident in the loft building. Monk also held

full

band rehearsals in the loft."

Robin did not discuss the Smith tapes, so I don't know whether any of

these

captured Coltrane (although, I intend to find out, and will report

back).

However, Robin said that he has been given access to Monk family tapes,

which include three performances from the Five Spot, July 1957.  These

are

the only known recordings of that legendary gig with Coltrane, and

include

"Nutty," "Ruby, My Dear," and one other track, the name of which Robin

couldn't recall.  He said that the Monk family intends to release these

recordings on it's own Thelonious label.  Robin said that at this early

date, Coltrane is clearly struggling with the compositions.

Most of the Monk family tapes are home recordings, made by Nellie. 

Many of

these consist of Monk working out his approach to a single tune,

apparently

similar in manner to the 25 minute rehearsal of "Round Midnight" on

Thelonious Himself.  Robin played portions of an 84 minute tape of Monk

playing "Getting Sentimental Over You" over and over again, gradually

distilling his conception.  Robin said that often on these tapes Monk

initially plays tunes fairly straight, then slowly introduces his

rubato and

substitutions.  Robin intends to include a cd of selections with his

book,

which he has yet to complete.

One home recording includes a performance of "All God's Children Got

Rhythm," which Robin discovered Monk was playing from an arrangement

written

by Mary Lou Williams.  He said Williams and Monk were close; and that

Monk,

Williams and Bud Powell once shared an apartment and a single piano. 

Robin

said that some compositions in Monk's hand can be found among Mary Lou

Williams' papers in Duke's manuscript collection.  He also demonstrated

that

Monk borrowed "Rhythm 'n' ing" from a Mary Lou composition (which then

also

circulated and was played under various titles by Al Haig, Charlie

Christian

and others, long before Monk recorded it).

Man, I'd love to hear those tapes!

[Michael Fitzgerald]

I think the Getting Sentimental tape is what was issued as "Monk - The Transformer" on Thelonious Records, so at least that is available now.

The Smith tapes are interesting - some of them are labeled with comments like "Monk danced but did not play at this rehearsal." The bulk of the Monk stuff is big band rehearsals - for the 1959 Town Hall concert, for the 1963 Philharmonic Hall concert, and for the 1964 Carnegie Hall concert. There's also a broadcast of an interview/demonstration that Hall Overton did with the Monk quartet at The New School in 1963.

Mike

[ghost of miles]

Up for any news of Mr. Kelley's progress.

[Christiern]

Robin has been working on his Monk book for a long time. From what he told me about it, I can't wait to see it published.

[John L]

Hmmm, a disc of previously unreleased Monk sounds like a good way to promote sales of the book.

Seriously, I am very happy to hear about this book. Several Monk biographies have appeared in recent years, but none of them are close the being THE biography that we all need.

[J.A.W.]

Seriously, I am very happy to hear about this book. Several Monk biographies have appeared in recent years, but none of them are close the being THE biography that we all need.

My thoughts exactly.

[Christiern]

It will, I hope (confidently), debunk the Keepnews claims.

[Larry Kart]

Keepnews' claims? What are they, and are they Orrin's or Peter's? I believe the latter was/is also writing a Monk biography.

Also, echoing Allan, Kelly's infamous Monk as pimp piece was ominous, especially its aggressively wised-up tone.

[brownie]

Also, echoing Allan, Kelly's infamous Monk as pimp piece was ominous, especially its aggressively wised-up tone.

Larry, assume this is a slip of the mind and it should read 'Miles as pimp'. Right?

[ghost of miles]

Keepnews' claims? What are they, and are they Orrin's or Peter's? I believe the latter was/is also writing a Monk biography.

It's hearsay, but my understanding is that the Peter Keepnews Monk bio is pretty much dead in the water at this point.

[bertrand]

This news comes as a total shock.

Bertrand.

[ghost of miles]

Bertrand--if you're referring to my post, I wouldn't call it "news." It really is hearsay, but supposedly certain events have made further progression very difficult. We may still ultimately see a book from PK...there are probably folks here much more in the know than I am as to whether or not PK's bio will ever come out.

Speaking of bios, I still have high hopes that we'll eventually see Peter Pullman's book on Bud Powell.

[Christiern]

It's hearsay, but my understanding is that the Peter Keepnews Monk bio is pretty much dead in the water at this point.

It would have to be, given the fact that Peter's options are to write a book of fiction or a book that exposes his father's self-serving twists of truth.

[bertrand]

The Powell book will see the light of day, I guarantee it. Pullman is a meticulous researcher who leaves no stone unturned. He's dug up so much it's mind-boggling. These things take time.

I'd rather wait 15 years for a comprehensive Bud book then get something tossed together in 2 years like Footprints.

Bertrand.

[Larry Kart]

Bertrand -- you're right. I meant to say Kelley's "Miles as pimp" piece.

About Pullman's Powell biography, I pretty knew much know where in the process it is now, and I know for sure at which publishing firm (a very good university press), and I have much confidence and every hope that it will emerge. Based on the parts I've seen, it will be a superb book.

[Christiern]

I don't think there was any doubt about Peter's Powell book, at least there shouldn't be. Peter very carefully checks that every dot, comma, etc. is in place.

[Mark Stryker]

http://www.amazon.com/Thelonious-Monk-Time...3709&sr=1-1

The book showed up in my office mail today, and while I am presently overwhelmed with deadlines and can't dive into it at the moment, I did take a few minutes to flip through a couple pages and it looks like a monumental piece of scholarship. The specific details about Monk's mental illness and medical treatment in his later years that I happened upon were revelatory. I have no idea about the interpretive thrust of the portrait, depth of musical analysis or any other big picture issues, but if the facts relating to all periods of Monk's life and career are as exhaustive as the quick snapshot that I saw, then this promises to be a landmark.

Edited September 29, 2009 by Mark Stryker

[blajay]

I pre-ordered from Amazon, and it doesn't estimate that it will arrive until Oct. 8th. How did you get a copy already? All of Robin Kelley's works have been brilliant. I can't wait to read it.

[CJ Shearn]

This should be nice, I hope to learn the details which led to Monk losing passion for music and stop playing, I mean theres no recordings after 1972 correct?

[relyles]

I placed an order with amazon as well.

[mikeweil]

Just ordered a copy. Thanks for pointing this out.

[bertrand]

Mark,

When you have a chance to look at this more carefully, could you keep an eye out to see if there is any mention of the copyright deposits at the Library of Congress? I know RK looked at these, but I was not with him that day so I don't know if he saw anything interesting.

Of course, this question applies to anyone who receives their copy soon.

I plan to buy this, but cheapo that I am, I will wait until I can get a 40% Borders' coupon or get it at Daedalus. I'm not in a hurry - Monk ain't going anywhere

Bertrand.

[Dan Gould]

I'll bet I'm not the only one not looking for musical insights but intrigued that there is real in depth information on his life and times.

[jazzbo]

Well, I ordered it. It's going to be better than the Gourse book!

[Don Brown]

I've read the first hundred and ten pages and, so far, I'm very impressed.