The Thelonious Monk Quartet, John Coltrane – At Carnegie Hall (2xLP)

Thelonious Monk Quartet with John Coltrane – At Carnegie Hall, recorded in 1957 and released in 2005, is a rare live document capturing two towering figures of jazz sharing the stage. The performance took place at a benefit concert at Carnegie Hall on November 29, 1957, during a short but fruitful period when Coltrane played in Monk’s quartet. The recording was rediscovered in the Library of Congress archives decades later and restored for release by Blue Note under the supervision of Michael Cuscuna and T.S. Monk. Musically, the album is electrifying: Monk’s idiosyncratic harmonies and angular piano lines interlock with Coltrane’s evolving “sheets of sound” approach. The rhythm section—Ahmed Abdul-Malik on bass and Shadow Wilson on drums—provides a solid, swinging foundation that lets Monk and Coltrane flirt with tension without losing structure. Highlights include spirited versions of “Nutty,” “Blue Monk,” “Sweet & Lovely,” and two takes of “Epistrophy.” Critics consider it one of Coltrane’s finest early live documents, and for Monk it offers arguably his clearest and most dynamic piano in a concert context.

Reviews

“The performances are light years beyond that muddy Five Spot recording … this new discovery captures Monk’s logic, simpatico with the rhythm section.” – All About Jazz

“The impeccably recorded performance captures Monk’s quartet, with Coltrane playing more concisely … At Carnegie Hall is as important a document of his early development as it is of Monk’s.” – All About Jazz