Thelonious Sphere Monk (October 10, 1917-February 17, 1982) was an American jazz pianist and composer.

Widely considered one of the most important musicians in jazz, Monk had a unique improvisational style and made numerous contributions to the standard jazz repertoire (including his classic works "'Round Midnight" and "Blue Monk"). He is often regarded as a founder of bebop, although his playing style evolved away from the form. His compositions and improvisations are full of dissonant harmonies and angular melodic twists, and are impossible to separate from Monk's unorthodox approach to the piano, which combined a highly percussive attack with abrupt, dramatic use of silences and hesitations.

Thelonious Sphere Monk (1917-1982) was a jazz pianist and composer. He was known for his unique improvisational style and many contributions to the standard jazz repertoire, including his classic work ‘Round Midnight’. While Monk is often regarded as a founder of bebop , his playing style evolved away from the form. His compositions and improvisations are full of dissonant harmonies and angular melodic twists, and are impossible to separate from Monk’s unorthodox approach to the piano, whi