THELONIOUS MONK - Palais Des Beaux-Arts 1963 - LP Limited Edition [RSD2020-AUG29]

The first ever vinyl release (these recordings were never issued on any format before) of Thelonious Monk Palais Des Beaux-Arts 1963. This unique piece of musical history is a collaboration between the Tidal Waves Music label, the VRT (Flemish Radio and Television organization) and Bozar (Centre for Fine Arts Brussels) with full approval of the Thelonious Monk Estate.

On Palais Des Beaux-Arts 1963 you’ll find unearthed Belgian concert-recordings from that era. The show consisted of 2 parts…both were recorded by the national Belgian broadcast company BRT/RTB who had the best recording-equipment on the market at the time. The set here (the BRT recordings part) consists of tracks from said Columbia albums which have now become omnipresent Jazz standards. Monk took the stage in his unique style with a grey wool Papakha as his hat choice. At that point unseen for the attending crowd…the showman shuffled across the stage, waving his arms as if he was about to lift off. He would take the crowd on a ride they would never forget.

It was the first time Thelonious Monk played the prestigious Palais des Beaux-Arts venue in Brussels to an enthusiastic crowd of Belgian Jazz fans. Full house! The quartet delivers their set with true tight mastership (mixed with Monk’s trademark improvisational avant-garde flair) and leaving room for a jaw dropping minute long drum solo mid-set. All this…and as an encore, the famous Monk solo rendition of the classic song Just a Gigolo…make this a must-have for any self-respecting Jazz aficionado.