Pianist composer Thelonius Monk (born Oct 10, 1917) was possibly the most idiosyncratic performers and composers our music has ever produced. His music is second only to Duke Ellington in the number of times his many compositions have been recorded. Often referred to as the High Priest of Bebop, he was instrumental in the birth of this style, playing alongside Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie, he was the pianist of choice at Minton’s Playhouse where the new style was given birth.