Thelonious Monk

Thelonious Sphere Monk (October 10, 1917 – February 17, 1982) was a jazz pianist and composer.

He is known for his unique improvisational style and many contributions to the standard jazz repertoire, including his classic works "'Round Midnight" and "Blue Monk". Monk is often regarded as a founder of bebop although his playing style evolved away from the form. His compositions and improvisations often highlight rhythmic and spatial relationships rather than melody.

Links:
The Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz

Bop City's Essential Recordings:

Miles Davis

Miles Dewey Davis III (May 26, 1926 – September 28, 1991) was one of the most distinguished jazz musicians of the latter half of the 20th century. A trumpeter, bandleader and composer, Davis was at the forefront of almost every major development in jazz from World War II to the 1990s. He played on some early bebop records and recorded the first cool jazz records. He was partially responsible for the development of modal jazz, and jazz fusion arose from his work with other musicians in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Free jazz was the only post-war jazz style not significantly influenced by Davis, although some musicians from his bands later pursued this style. His recordings, along with the live performances of his many influential bands, were vital in jazz's acceptance as music with lasting artistic value. A popularizer as well as an innovator, Davis became famous for his languid, melodic style and his laconic, and at times confrontational, personality. As an increasingly well-paid and fashionably-dressed jazz musician, Davis was also a symbol of jazz music's commercial potential.

Links:
Official Miles Davis Website
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Page

Bop City's Essential Recordings:

Charlie Parker

Charles "Bird" Parker, Jr. (August 29, 1920 – March 12, 1955) was an American jazz saxophonist and composer. Early in his career Parker was dubbed "Yardbird" (there are many contradictory stories of its origin). It was later shortened to "Bird" and remained Parker's nickname for the rest of his life and inspiration for the titles of his works, such as "Yardbird Suite" and "Bird Feathers". The New York City nightclub Birdland was named after him, as was the George Shearing song "Lullaby of Birdland."

Parker is commonly considered one of the greatest jazz musicians, ranked with such as Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington and Miles Davis. Jazz critic Scott Yanow speaks for many jazz fans and musicians when he states that "Parker was arguably the greatest saxophonist of all time." A founding father of bebop, Parker's innovative approach to melody, rhythm and harmony was enormously influential on his contemporaries, and his music remains an inspiration and resource for jazz and other musicians. Several of Parker's songs have become standards of the repertoire, such as "Billies Bounce" and "Anthropology".

Links:
The Official Charlie Parker Website
Discography

Bop City's Essential Recordings:

Art Blakey

Arthur (Art) Blakey (October 11, 1919–October 16, 1990), also known as Abdullah Ibn Buhaina, was an American jazz drummer and bandleader. Along with Kenny Clarke and Max Roach, he was one of the inventors of the modern, bebop style of drumming. He was known as a powerful musician and a ferocious groover. He is undoubtedly one of the most influential jazz musicians ever; his brand of bluesy, funky hard bop was (and remains) profoundly influential on mainstream jazz.

Links:
ArtBlakey.com
Art Blakey at BlueNote.com

Bop City's Essential Recordings: