Pianist / composer Thelonius Sphere Monk (born October 10, 1917), often referred to as the 'High Priest of Bebop', was one of the founders of the musical movement, alongside Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie at Minton’s Playhouse in Harlem. His idiosyncratic piano style and compositions are so distinctive as to be immediately identifiable as completely his own. His total originality is undeniable, there is only one Monk!