Thelonious Monk: Straight, No Chaser

Director: Charlotte Mitchell Zwerin, Charlotte Zwerin, Christian Blackwood Charlotte Mitchell Zwerin

Overview

Progressive Jazz maitre Thelonious Monk (1917-1982) is the subject of this feature-length documentary. It is clear throughout the film that Monk never had any intention at any point in his existence of "explaining" his life or his work. He preferred to let his music do his talking for him. Interviews with Monk's friends, family and co-workers shed some light on Monk's personal travails and political difficulties. The film is highlighted by precious clips of Monk in concert, on the road, and boppin' and jammin' during studio sessions.

Product Details

Release Date:	02/05/2019
UPC:	0883929675210
Original Release:	1988
Rating:	PG-13
Source:	Warner Archives
Presentation:	[B&W]
Sound:	[Dolby Digital Mono]
Language:	English
Time:	1:29:00
Sales rank:	40,711

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Harry Colomby	Self
John Coltrane	Self(archive footage)
Ray Copeland	Self
Johnny Griffin	Self
Barry Harris	Self
Teo Macero	Self
Thelonious Monk Jr.	Self
Nellie Monk	Self
Samuel E. Wright	Narrator,Narrator
Dick Hyman	Composer

Technical Credits

Charlotte Zwerin	Director,Director,Producer,Producer
Christian Blackwood	Director
Clint Eastwood	Executive Producer,Producer
Bruce Ricker	Producer

Editorial Reviews

Expanding on footage of Monk's 1967 tour shot by Christian Blackwood, Charlotte Zwering (Gimme Shelter) has created the definitive filmic portrait of the master bop pianist-composer. This captivating DVD digs deeper into the life of the famously eccentric pianist-composer than the Ken Burns's tepid coffeetable documentary Jazz ever thought to. A few shades different than the Burns film's monosyllabic, near-silent weirdo, Straight, No Chaser fleshes out Monk's character considerably -- from his harmonic theories to his use of quarter-tones (produced by hitting two adjacent piano keys simultaneously and occasionally even striking the boards with his entire forearm or his foot) to his mysterious relationship with his patron, baronness Nica de Koenigswarter. "Pannonica," a lyrical paean to her, is included on the soundtrack. Monk's music, naturally, is at the center of this canny portrait, giving fans cause to rejoice since most of the movie's performances had been previously unavailable in any form. The more interesting excavations include footage of his near-forgotten 1967 octet and rare recordings of club performances and rehearsal takes of Monk standards like "Well, You Needn't," "Trinkle Tinkle," "Evidence," and the title song. More curious is the inclusion of "Lulu's Back in Town," a corny Harry Warren-Al Dubin ditty, which Monk plays solo in a mellow homage to his stride predecessors. Straight, No Chaser is essential viewing for both jazz experts and novices, a smart, unflinching glance at one of 20th-Century music's greatest minds.