Thelonious Monk - Caravan - Berliner Jazztage 1969

To end off Black History Month and the dawning of the Chinese New Year (Year of the Horse and my astrological sign) with style (Mandarin hat) and grace, I'd like to share this classic performance by one of the most prolific and abstract thinking jazz pianist/composers in history, the legendary Thelonious Monk. Performing Duke Ellington's "Caravan", co-written by Juan Tizol, Monk showcases his unique improvisational style.

Some say it's "Improvised Dissonance", but I say he was too advanced for the average listener. "The first humans who invented music were improvisers, the first cries of a new born child is improvised music. So, improvisation is the main source of new inventions in music." (anonymous)