AllMovie

Thelonious Monk: American Composer travels with the jazz master across the world. Presenting concerts in Europe, Japan, and America, Monk proved his genius time and time again. His reputation as one of the finest jazz composers and musicians of his day was based on very well-received releases. The pianist established himself early on and waited for his style to be recognized. When it was, critics and fans alike praised Monk for his innovation. This one-hour release is filled with recollections of the complex composer by his former students Randy Weston, Barry Harris, and Billy Taylor, and his children, Thelonious Monk Jr. and Marion Monk. The archival footage accompanies Monk's best-known tunes including "'Round Midnight," "Just a Gigolo," "Blue Monk," and "Lulu's Back in Town."