Thelonious Monk Blue Note Sessions

Blue Note Sessions, 1947-52
Studio album by Thelonious Monk
Released	1947-1952
Recorded	1947-1952
Genre	Jazz
Label	Blue Note

Jazz pianist Thelonious Monk's first sessions as a bandleader were recorded between 1947 and 1952, and released on Blue Note records as a series of 78 RPM singles. These singles were then compiled in later years—with additional performances from the sessions—into long-playing album formats. As Monk's reputation and fame grew, the sessions were recompiled again and again into more complete configurations. This article details various releases of these sessions.

The Blue Note recordings were made over the course of six sessions. "Versions" refers only to the number of eventually-released performances; other takes may have been recorded.

All compositions by Thelonious Monk unless otherwise noted.

Singles released from the Blue Note sessions include the following:

Side 1:

Side 2:

Side 1:

Side 2:

Side 1:

Side 2:

Tracks A1-A2, B1-B3 are from an April 7, 1952 session which does not feature Thelonious Monk.

Side 1:

Side 2:

Tracks A1-A5, B5 are from an April 7, 1952 session which does not feature Thelonious Monk.

Side 1:

Side 2:

These CD releases use the cover art of the 1956 twelve inch LPs, but redistribute the performances between the volumes into a strict chronological order, with alternate takes immediately following the first-released takes.

A 2-CD set called The Complete Genius, featuring the 1956 yellow cover art, includes all of the Blue Note sessions (including July 2, 1948), ordered in a similar manner.

1-6 recorded Oct 15, 1947
7-16 recorded Oct 24 1947
17-21 recorded Nov 21, 1947

10-17 recorded July 2, 1948
1-9 are from an April 7, 1952 session which does not feature Thelonious Monk.

1-9 recorded July 23, 1951
10-18 recorded May 30, 1952

The sessions were recompiled, under the same title, on CD in 2001 as part of the RVG series, remastered by Rudy Van Gelder from the original session lacquers. The cover art for the original 8-song 10 inch LPs was used. While the earlier CDs grouped all takes of each title together, the recompilation put the alternate takes at the end of each session.

The July 2, 1948 session was released on Blue Note CD Milt Jackson, Wizard of the Vibes, which also used its respective 1952 10-inch LP cover art.

1-6 recorded Oct 15, 1947
7-16 recorded Oct 24 1947
17-21 recorded Nov 21, 1947

10-17 recorded July 2, 1948
1-9 are from an April 7, 1952 session which does not feature Thelonious Monk.

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