Quotes by Thelonious Monk

About Thelonious Monk:

Thelonious Sphere Monk is the second-most recorded jazz composer after Duke Ellington, which is particularly remarkable as Ellington composed more than 1,000 pieces, whereas Monk wrote about 70.
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Everybody in all countries tries to play jazz.

Thelonious Monk

I never though much about race.

Thelonious Monk

All musicians are subconsciously mathematicians.

Thelonious Monk

I don't know what other people are doing - I just know about me.

Thelonious Monk

I guess, you know, if I didn't make it with the piano, I guess I would've been the biggest bum.

Thelonious Monk

We have two kids, my wife and myself.

Thelonious Monk

Be-bop wasn't developed in any deliberate way.

Thelonious Monk

The piano ain't got no wrong notes.

Thelonious Monk

Don't play everything (or every time); let some things go by… What you don't play can be more important than what you do.

Thelonious Monk

I can shoot pool, and I can play ping-pong. I'm pretty good at those games.

Thelonious Monk

I'd go stupid collecting and counting my money.

Thelonious Monk

Author Bio

  • NameThelonious Monk
  • DescriptionAmerican jazz pianist and composer
  • AliasesThelonious Sphere Monk
  • BornOctober 10, 1917
  • DiedFebruary 17, 1982
  • CountryUnited States Of America
  • ProfessionPianist; Composer; Jazz Musician
  • AwardsGuggenheim Fellowship; Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award