Thelonious Monk with John Coltrane - The Complete 1957 Riverside Recordings / 2CD set

2006 U.S. CD release.

For an all-too-brief, magical time in 1957, two of the greatest musicians in history   ̶ Thelonious Monk and John Coltrane  ̶  performed together every night at New York’s Five Spot Cafe.  And between April and July of that year, they made their only studio recordings together. Coltrane was poised to make a giant leap forward  ̶  and ready to learn from one of the masters, Monk.

In a DownBeat interview Coltrane recalled: “Working with Monk brought me close to a musical architect of the highest order. I learned from him in every way.” Includes an insightful essay by the late Orrin Keepnews, who, as producer of the original sessions, was present at the creation of every note.

Features the following collective personnel: Art Blakey, Wilbur Ware, Coleman Hawkins, Shadow Wilson, Ray Copeland and Gigi Gryce.