Thelonious Sphere Monk was an American jazz composer and pianist. He had a unique improvisational style but also made numerous contributions to the standard jazz repertoire including such songs as 'Round Midnight'. He was one of only five jazz musicians to have been featured on the cover of Time magazine, and is generally considered to be one of the giants of 20th century music. This album first appeared in 1973, and has been described as 'post be-bop'. This was actually his last studio recording from a session that took place in November 1971. Recorded some 30yrs after his most famous music, the recordings were made near the end of a worldwide tour with the Giants of Jazz, a group which included Gillespie, Kai Winding, Sonny Stitt, Al McKibbon, and Blakey. Bassist McKibbon, who had known Monk for over twenty years and played on his final tour in 1971, later said: "On that tour, Monk said about two words. I mean literally maybe two words. He didn't say 'Good morning,' 'Goodnight,' 'What time?' Nothing. Why, I don't know. He sent word back after the tour was over that the reason he couldn't communicate or play was that Art Blakey and I were so ugly." Extraordinary music from an extraordinary man.