Thelonious Monk- 5 by Monk by 5

Despite various reissue formats over several decades, the seven original LPs contained in Thelonious Monk - The Riverside Tenor Sessions stood perfectly well on their own at the time of initial release and remain among the highest achievements of a truly golden age. Recorded and released between 1956 and 1961, these seven Monk combo albums were critical in Monk's emergence from a decade of ridicule and neglect to his status at the pinnacle of the jazz pantheon. 5 by Monk by 5 was deliberately conceived and executed as a quintet album. The 'five' are made up of what was, at the time of the 1959 sessions, Monk's regular working quartet plus Thad Jones. That is to say, a well-integrated unit with a striking added voice absorbed into it. The album consists of two new Monk compositions and reworkings of three earlier numbers. This is a classic album with a lively quintet that includes Monk, piano; Thad Jones, cornet; Sam Jones, bass; Art Taylor, drums and the amazing Charlie Rouse, te