Complete Riverside Recordings

In the decades since his death in 1982, Thelonious Monk's creativity and consistency have only become more apparent. This 15-disc anthology of Monk's 1955-61 recordings for Riverside finds the composer-pianist in his prime, backed by such world-class collaborators as John Coltrane, Gerry Mulligan, Shelly Mann, and Johnny Griffin. Sometimes in multiple takes, here are such jazz classics as Straight, No Chaser, Crepuscule with Nellie, Epistrophy, 'Round Midnight, In Walked Bud, Misterioso, Rhythm-a-Ning, and Well, You Needn't, as well as Monk's treatment of standards like Just a Gigolo, Mood Indigo, and I Got It Bad (And That Ain't Good). Monk performs in various configurations throughout, including solo, and as a part of a trio, quartet, quintet, and orchestra.