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Rocky Mount in Edgecombe County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
 

Thelonious Monk

(1917-1982)

 
 
Thelonious Monk Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Zoe Denise Atkinson, September 13, 2016
1. Thelonious Monk Marker
Inscription.
Jazz pianist, composer, and architect of bebop. Wrote “Round Midnight” (1944). Born 1 mile south.
 
Erected 2011 by North Carolina Office of Archives and History. (Marker Number E-119.)
 
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African AmericansArts, Letters, MusicEntertainment. In addition, it is included in the North Carolina Division of Archives and History series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1944.
 
Location. 35° 56.651′ N, 77° 47.655′ W. Marker is in Rocky Mount, North Carolina, in Edgecombe County. Marker is at the intersection of Northeast Main Street and East Thomas Street (Business U.S. 64), on the right when traveling north on Northeast Main Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 205 NE Main St, Rocky Mount NC 27801, United States of America. Touch for directions.
 
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Miss Anna Easter Brown (approx. 0.2 miles away); Harold Bascom Durham, Jr. (approx. 0.2 miles away); Adolphus Staton (approx. 0.2 miles away); Veterans Memorial At Jack Laughery Park (approx. 0.2 miles away); Hardees Food System (approx. 0.2 miles away); Jim Thorpe (approx. ¼ mile away); Douglas Franklin Davis
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(approx. ¼ mile away); Operation Dixie (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Rocky Mount.
 
Also see . . .
1. Thelonious Monk Biography. In the link the reader will find information of the life, legacy and music of Thelonious Monk. (Submitted on September 13, 2016, by Zoe Denise Atkinson of Rocky Mount, North Carolina.) 

2. Wikipedia Entry. Thelonious Sphere Monk (1917–1982) was an American jazz pianist and composer. He had a unique improvisational style and made numerous contributions to the standard jazz repertoire, including ‘’Round Midnight,’ ‘Blue Monk,’ ‘Straight, No Chaser,’ ‘Ruby, My Dear,’ ‘In Walked Bud,’ and ‘Well, You Needn’t.’ ... Monk’s compositions and improvisations feature dissonances and angular melodic twists and are consistent with his unorthodox approach to the piano, which combined a highly percussive attack with abrupt, dramatic use of switched key releases, silences, and hesitations. ... Monk was renowned for a distinct look which included suits, hats, and sunglasses. He was also noted for an idiosyncratic habit during performances: while other musicians continued playing, Monk stopped, stood up and danced for a few moments before returning to the piano.
Thelonious Monk Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Zoe Denise Atkinson
2. Thelonious Monk Marker
(Submitted on February 24, 2018.) 

3. Thelonious Monk Quartet - ’Round Midnight. 1966 performance in Norway.
(Submitted on February 25, 2018.) 
 
Thelonious Monk Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Zoe Denise Atkinson, September 13, 2016
3. Thelonious Monk Marker
Thelonious Monk image. Click for full size.
4. Thelonious Monk
This 1964 portrait of Thelonious Monk (1917-1982) by Boris Chaliapin hangs in the National Portrait Gallery in Washington DC.

“A leader of the postwar jazz revolution, Thelonious Monk along with Dizzy Gillespie and Charlie Parker sparked the 'bebop' movement, a jazz style faster and more frenetic than the swing that had held sway since the thirties. Monk's piano style has been called eccentric: 'his melodies were angular, his harmonies full of jarring clusters.' His recording career took off in the mid-1950s, and he won an enthusiastic following, often playing with such other avant-garde musicians as John Coltrane and Sonny Rollins. His compositions 'Round Midnight,' 'Blue Monk,' and 'Epistrophy' are considered classics of modern jazz.” — National Portrait Gallery
 
 
Credits. This page was last revised on June 10, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 13, 2016, by Zoe Denise Atkinson of Rocky Mount, North Carolina. This page has been viewed 2,173 times since then and 64 times this year. Last updated on June 9, 2023, by Michael Buckner of Durham, North Carolina. Photos:   1, 2, 3. submitted on September 13, 2016, by Zoe Denise Atkinson of Rocky Mount, North Carolina.   4. submitted on August 3, 2017, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.

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Mar. 18, 2024