When Monk and Trane spent six months in 1957 working together at New York's Five Spot Cafe, it was a historic event which certainly should have been exhaustively recorded. Bu1 nonmusical conflicts made that impossible, leaving as the only permanent reminders of this momentous encounter the three remarkable quartet selections that highlight this album.
Musicians:
Thelonious Monk (piano) with on #1,2,4: John Coltrane (tenor saxophone), Wilbur Ware (bass), Shadow Wilson (drums)
#3,5:
Ray Copeland (trumpet), Gigi Gryce (alto saxophone), John Coltrane, Coleman Hawkins (tenor saxophones), Wilbur Ware (bass), Art Blakey (drums)
#6 is an unaccompanied piano solo.
6 Tracks. Recorded at Reeves Sound Studios, New York City; July 1957 (#1, 2. 4), June 26. 1957 (#3, 5), and April 12, 1957 (#6).