Thelonious Monk - Thelonious Monk: Live at Rotterdam 1967, The Lost Recordings

Live recording from the Doelen Rotterdam, in 1967.

When he set foot on the stage of Club Doelen on Oct. 28, 1967 in Rotterdam, Thelonious Monk had just turned 50. 15 years later, he disappeared from the music scene and spent his 6 final years in New York, at Pannonica de Koenigswater's, and never touched a piano again.

This concert is a testament to his genius. Opening and ending with two classic pieces, Ruby, My Dear and Blue Monk, he led for over 80 minutes the quartet and his accomplices, Charlie Rouse, Larry Gales, Ben Riley, and guests.

Larry Gales's bass seems to pop out like a jack-in-the-box at the end of Hackensack, the brass instruments get carried away towards the middle of We see, and billow out and away in the breathtaking Oska. And it all leads to a solo time on Don't Blame Me: his fingers must be widely spreadapart as he hits the keys the way you'd hit and shuffle cards. And then it's time to conclude with one of his classic tunes Blue Monk. The architect can set down his tools, what remains is pure art.

Artists:Thelonious Monk - PianoCharlie Rouse - Tenor SaxophoneJohnny Griffin - Tenor SaxophonePhil Woods - Alto SaxophoneClark Terry - TrumpetRay Copeland - TrumpetJimmy Cleveland - TromboneLarry Gales - Double bassBen Riley - Drums