Genius of Modern Music, Vols. One & Two
Genius of Modern Music, Vols. One & Two are a pair of separate but related 12" compilation albums by American jazz pianist Thelonious Monk released on Blue Note in 1956. Later re-issues on CD include more material recorded at the same sessions but not released on the original LPs.
Background
Recording and production
Monk recorded six sessions for Blue Note, all produced by Alfred Lion: October 15 and 24, 1947, November 21, 1947, July 2, 1948, July 23, 1951, and May 30, 1952. All sessions were recorded by Doug Hawkins at WOR Studios, except July 2, 1948, recorded at Apex Studios.Release history
Two 10"s were cut from the first five sessions: Genius of Modern Music and Genius of Modern Music, Vol. 2. After 10"s lost the format war, Blue Note began reissuing its Modern Jazz Series on 12"s. Material from the two ten-inches, the 1952 session, and other outtakes were recompiled on Genius of Modern Music, Vol. One and Genius of Modern Music, Vol. Two.The two volumes were recompiled for their CD reissue, moving the entire July 2, 1948 session to the Milt Jackson: Wizard of the Vibes reissue, and placing the other five sessions in chronological order, with the 1947 sessions on Volume One and the 1951 and 1952 sessions on Volume Two.
Track listing
Note
- The CD issues compile the five sessions—excluding July 2, 1948, concurrently reissued on Milt Jackson: Wizard of the Vibes—chronologically. The 2001 RVG edition recompiled the track listing, postpending the alternate takes to their respective sessions, and restored the cover art for the original 10" LPs.
Personnel
Musicians
October 15, 1947
- Thelonious Monk – piano
- Idrees Sulieman – trumpet
- Danny Quebec West – alto saxophone
- Billy Smith – tenor saxophone
- Gene Ramey – bass
- Art Blakey – drums
October 24, 1947
- Thelonious Monk – piano
- Gene Ramey – bass
- Art Blakey – drums
November 21, 1947
- Thelonious Monk – piano
- George Taitt – trumpet
- Sahib Shihab – alto saxophone
- Bob Paige – bass
- Art Blakey – drums
July 2, 1948
- Milt Jackson – vibraphone
- Thelonious Monk – piano
- John Simmons – bass
- Shadow Wilson – drums
July 23, 1951
- Thelonious Monk – piano
- Sahib Shihab – alto saxophone
- Milt Jackson – vibraphone
- Al McKibbon – bass
- Art Blakey – drums
May 30, 1952
- Thelonious Monk – piano
- Kenny Dorham – trumpet
- Lou Donaldson – alto saxophone
- Lucky Thompson – tenor saxophone
- Nelson Boyd – bass
- Max Roach – drums
Technical personnel
Original
- Alfred Lion – producer
- Doug Hawkins – engineer
- Ira Gitler – liner notes
Reissue
- Michael Cuscuna – reissue producer
- Ron McMaster – digital transfer