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Biography
After earning a reputation in school as a rabble-rouser, and graduating, the young Monk
joined his father’s trio and toured with his dad until the elder Monk’s retirement in 1975. T. S.
then launched into the music that had captivated him and his generation, R&B. He first
toured with a group called Natural Essence and afterward, with his sister Barbara, formed his
own band with which he had hits on two recordings, House Of Music and More Of The Good
Life, where he played drums, arranged, and sang.
T. S. received the New York Jazz Awards First Annual “Recording of the Year” and
‘Downbeat’s’ prestigious 63rd Reader’s Poll Award for Monk On Monk, the “80th Anniversary
Birthday Tribute to Thelonious Sphere Monk” featuring twenty guest artists including Herbie
Hancock, Wayne Shorter, and Arturo Sandoval, Dianne Reeves, Nnenna Freelon, and Howard
Johnson, among others perform on the recording. Critics and the public lauded T. S. Monk as
his father’s true musical heir, as bandleader, and performer. Rave reviews in the Hollywood
Reporter, Variety, the L.A. Times, and others, echoed the public sentiment of the sold out
concert hall shows across the United States, Europe, and the Middle East.
Shortly after his father passed away leaving a rich and legendary legacy, tragically, his sister
died of cancer. To honor his father’s legacy and support the efforts of education, Thelonious
turned his attention toward forming the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz. As Chairman,
Thelonious has been at the forefront of helping to create a number of programs supporting
after-school athletic programs. The Institute’s activities reach from Boston to Los Angeles
sponsoring music education for students in the form of full scholarships to funding and
supplies and from New York to Orlando.
In 1992, Thelonious formed his jazz sextet and received raves from the moment they hit the
stage and the studio. One of the most unique groups on the circuit, the T. S. Monk Sextet’s
cohesive and driving style has been heard at the JVC Jazz at the Bowl festival, Sun Valley
Center, Lied Center for the Performing Arts, and many of the legendary jazz clubs. For his
special 80th Anniversary Birthday Tribute to his father, the sextet formed the core of the
eleven musician, pulsating and dynamic show. With Grammy Award winning producer (for
Joe Henderson’s Lush Life, among others) Don Sickler on trumpet, the duo has carved an
innovative and dynamic approach to crafting the T. S. Monk Sextet sound; this band soars
and sizzles.
For two consecutive seasons, December 1996 and January 1998, on ABC, jazz returned to
network television after a twenty-five year absence. Sponsored by Nissan and The
Thelonious Monk Institute, under the guidance of Thelonious, Jr. and Tom Carter, an
historic assemblage of artists gathered for ‘A Celebration Of America’s Music’ featuring
Natalie Cole, Jon Secada, Tony Bennett, K.D. Lang, as well as Thelonious performing his
father’s signature tune, Round Midnight, with Herbie Hancock, Pat Metheny, Nnenna
Freelon, Al Jarreau, Dave Brubeck, Aretha Franklin all having performed for this Annual
special.
For information about T. S. Monk's "Monk On Monk" project, click here.