1. Thelonious Monk - Palais Des Beaux-Arts 1963 - Inner Ocean Records
  2. Thelonious Monk - Palais Des Beaux-Arts 1963 - Inner Ocean Records
  3. Thelonious Monk - Palais Des Beaux-Arts 1963 - Inner Ocean Records

Thelonious Monk

Arts 1963

Regular price $19.99
Release Notes
  • Record Store Day 2020 Worldwide Exclusive Release
  • Limited 180g Vinyl Edition with Obi strip
  • Unearthed 1963 Session From The Vaults
  • First Time On Vinyl (Or On Any Format)
  • Includes an exact reproduction of the original concert poster from 1963

Thelonious Monk (1917 – 1982) was an American jazz pianist and composer who needs little introduction. He had a unique improvisational style and made numerous contributions to the standard jazz repertoire…Monk is the second-most-recorded jazz composer (after Duke Ellington) and received prestigious awards for his career achievements (including a Grammy, a Pulitzer Prize and an induction into the Music Hall of Fame). Thelonious Monk is one of five jazz musicians to have been featured on the cover of Time magazine. Monk was highly regarded by his peers and by critics, but often his music was regarded as too “difficult” for more mainstream acceptance.

Thelonious Monk’s compositions/improvisations feature dissonances with complicated melodic twists and are consistent with his unorthodox approach to the piano (which combined a highly percussive attack with abrupt, dramatic use of switched key releases, silences, and hesitations). Monk was known for a distinct look which included suits, hats, and sunglasses. He was also noted for an idiosyncratic habit during performances: while other musicians continued playing, Monk would stop, stand up, and dance for a few moments before returning to the piano.

Thelonious started playing the piano at the age of six and was largely self-taught…at 17, he was playing the church organ, and in his late teens he began to find work playing jazz. In the early to mid-1940s, he was already a house pianist in several Manhattan nightclubs. In 1944 Thelonious Monk made his first studio recordings…and since then he recorded classic albums for labels such as Blue Note (1947-1952), Prestige (1952-1954), Riverside (1955-1961) and Columbia (1962-1968).

By the mid-1970s Monk had disappeared from the scene and made only a small number of appearances during the final decade of his life. Thelonious Monk died of a stroke in 1982, leaving us with an unparalleled legacy.

In 1963 Monk was at the top of his game. With his steady quartet of veteran collaborators, he had landed himself a new contract with Columbia and recorded 2 milestone albums for them (Monk’s Dream and Criss-Cross). Soon after Thelonious Monk started touring in Europe to promote his freshly recorded material…and he brought his critically acclaimed line-up with him on tour: Charlie Rouse on saxophone, John Ore on double bass, and Frankie Dunlop on drums.

On the album we are presenting you today (Palais Des Beaux-Arts 1963) you’ll find unearthed Belgian concert-recordings from that era. The show consisted of 2 parts…both were recorded by the national Belgian broadcast company BRT/RTB who had the best recording-equipment on the market at the time. The set we unearthed here (the BRT recordings part) consists of tracks from said Columbia albums which have now become omnipresent Jazz standards.

Monk took the stage in his unique style with a grey wool Papakha as his hat choice. At that point unseen for the attending crowd…the showman shuffled across the stage, waving his arms as if he was about to lift off. He would take the crowd on a ride they would never forget. It was the first time Thelonious Monk played the prestigious Palais des Beaux-Arts venue in Brussels to an enthusiastic crowd of Belgian Jazz fans. Full house! The quartet delivers their set with true tight mastership (mixed with Monk’s trademark improvisational avant-garde flair) and leaving room for a jaw dropping minute long drum solo mid-set. All this…and as an encore, the famous Monk solo rendition of the classic song Just a Gigolo…make this a must-have for any self-respecting Jazz aficionado.

This release is the product of an ongoing labor of love from a dedicated professional team of archivists and musical technicians who have spent 10 years carefully restoring and cleaning decades of Belgian audiovisual culture, bringing these audio-gems from their vaults in Brussels into the digital world and preserving them for future generations.

Tidal Waves Music now proudly presents the FIRST ever vinyl release (these recordings were never issued on ANY format before) of Thelonious Monk ‘Palais Des Beaux-Arts 1963’. This unique piece of musical history is a collaboration between the Tidal Waves Music label, the VRT (Flemish Radio and Television organization) and Bozar (Centre for Fine Arts Brussels) with full approval of the Thelonious Monk Estate. This concert album comes as a deluxe 180g vinyl edition with obi strip. Also included is an exact reproduction of the original concert poster from 1963… released exclusively for RECORD STORE DAY DROP WEEKEND 2020 and available in participating stores worldwide on AUGUST 29, 2020.

Customer Reviews

Overall rating: 4.8 / 5 from 269 reviews.

Customer photo review of Casiopea - Mint Jams (Japan Import)

I was concerned about shipping from Canada to the UK, but the records were packaged great and arrived without a scratch. Great communication. Some items were second hand, the gradings were perfectly accurate. Very pleased, would recommend!

Casiopea - Mint Jams (Japan Import)

Customer photo review of Tape Cassette - Mystery Grab Bag

I got the mystery tape box specifically the "your getting tons of tapes" tier and it didnt disappoint at all packaged securely overdelivered in the best way in terms of content and didnt take long to get here ,it was exciting to finally see what i got, genuinely made my day when it came in the post, a massive 22 tape package and so far every tape ive listened to has been really really good! Quality all the way, and if anyone was on the fence about getting it, well dont be, go for it you wont be disappointed . Major respect to whoever curates the box, excellent choices!! I Usually never leave reviews of things but this was worth doing it for. I will definitely be buying this again no doubt about it and yeah just awesome really, very happy with it :)

Tape Cassette - Mystery Grab Bag

Customer video review of BLESS Vol. 1

The vinyl itself is very beautiful, and the sound is very punchy and clear! Of course all the tracks slap hard. Really great pressing, really great album!

BLESS Vol. 1

Customer photo review of BLESS Vol. 1

I discovered the Bless Vol. 1 compilation a few years ago. Some of my favorite lo-fi artists were featured on it, and last year I reached out to the label hoping to get some of their releases. Cory got in touch with me and personally made sure the record arrived safely. It sounds incredible, and the editions are beautifully produced. Now I'm eagerly waiting for Vol. 1 Greetings from Argentina!

BLESS Vol. 1

Customer photo review of Idealism - Hiraeth EP

Solid pressing, beautiful, artwork and a sturdy case.

Idealism - Hiraeth EP

Customer photo review of We Are Rewind - Tape Cassette Player

Really big fan. It’s a solidly built player and I think the aux-in recording function and ability to pair Bluetooth headphones/speaker is really unique, especially on the same device. I can’t speak to the Bluetooth pairing as I haven’t tested it out. I specifically was looking for an aux-in recording cassette player and this fit the bill perfectly. I tested this function and it sounds really great without completely losing the charm of a mic recording.

We Are Rewind - Tape Cassette Player

Customer photo review of Makoto Matsushita - First Light (Japan Import)

It was packaged perfectly! Everything that it came in was great, too! HOWEVER, the page for this product does have a preview of all the songs ASSUMED to come with the album. This is not the case. This album comes with everything EXCEPT: September Rain (English Version) With the previews available, I thought it'd be there. I was apparently missinformed. That is the ONE AND ONLY issue I have with my purchase. I wish they gave you the EXACT track list on the webpage. But like I said, that'd the only issue I had. Everything else was great.

Makoto Matsushita - First Light (Japan Import)

Customer photo review of Kingo Hamada - Mugshot (Japan Import)

I've been looking for an original copy of this album for a while at a price and quality that I was happy with. I was thrilled to find this on your website and couldn't pass up the opportunity to support you and support my unhealthy collection.

Kingo Hamada - Mugshot (Japan Import)

Customer photo review of Good Mood / Lofi Juice

Quality tape and case. Love the music. Perfectly chill mix. Will definitely be back for more.

Good Mood / Lofi Juice

Customer photo review of tiny.blips - juicy curveballs: beat tape

This album is truly fantastic. I have the cassette as well, it's so dynamic and interesting to listen to on both the turntable and in my case the player with headphones! blips is also just a very talented artist and incredibly kind person, sent me a short to make up for the shipping delay with the vinyl. I can't say enough nice things about inner ocean and the artists on here. Interesting work from very talented people, great deals on buying multiple tapes and records, professional and kind customer service, I've honestly never had a bad transaction from inner ocean and I look forward to my next purchase! Thanks all!

tiny.blips - juicy curveballs: beat tape

Customer photo review of Anri - Heaven Beach (Japan Import)

Legit and amazing quality!!! These are my very first two vinyl albums and I just love how these two turned out! Would definitely recommend Inner Ocean Records to those who enjoy collecting vintage Japanese albums.

Anri - Heaven Beach (Japan Import)

Customer photo review of 1986 Omega Tribe - Navigator (Japan Import)

Shipped promptly, arrived quickly, and was in good condition. I played it and it sounded great. Perfect transaction. What more could I ask for??

1986 Omega Tribe - Navigator (Japan Import)

Customer photo review of tiny.blips - juicy curveballs: beat tape

Most beautiful cassettes on earth as always. Every Inner Ocean release is an instant classic and everything I’ve ever ordered (cassettes, vinyl, merch) always comes quick and very well packaged. Best record label out!

tiny.blips - juicy curveballs: beat tape

Customer photo review of Casiopea - Mint Jams (Japan Import)

Absolutely PHENOMENAL transaction, adding a piece of Casiopea history to my collection. Shipped fast, packed well, and Always a pleasure to do business with. Not my first Inner Ocean order, and FAR from my last! Again, many thanks to the IO crew!

Casiopea - Mint Jams (Japan Import)

Customer photo review of Casiopea - Cross Point (Japan Import)

I’m so glad to be able to have my favorite casiopea album on vinyl and it play wonderfully. Would say it got here quickly but alas the Canadian post strike happened not too long after I ordered it. But all in all I will definitely be ordering more from here.

Casiopea - Cross Point (Japan Import)

Customer photo review of Miki Matsubara - Pocket Park (Japan Import)

Favorite Miki album. The added posted was wonderful surprise. Inner Ocean Records shipping and customer support is top notch. Can’t wait for my next purchase!

Miki Matsubara - Pocket Park (Japan Import)

Customer photo review of Lofi Snacks Series 2

This is my first entry into the Lofi Snacks series after bumbling into the Inner Ocean label on Bandcamp and looking up their website. And my, what can I say other than it has been a delight! Really fresh vibey beats that sound great digitally on on my desk cassette player. The art is also fantastic and I love the print on the cassette itself. I've had this album on repeat since it arrived Monday. Look forward to exploring more of the Inner Ocean catalogue.

Lofi Snacks Series 2

Customer photo review of Yellow Magic Orchestra - Solid State Survivor (Japan Import)

One of the greatest records in my collection! There are few legendary records that scratch the sonic itch this one does. Love the addition of the obi strip. Inner Ocean delivers greatness yet again!

Yellow Magic Orchestra - Solid State Survivor (Japan Import)

Store owner replied: What a solid selection! (pun intended) Thanks so much for supporting our store!

Always good experience getting in Inner Ocean Records. Well packaged, so arrived in mint condition. Excellent catalogue of dope and beautiful music.

Zac Colwell - Through The Glass, Dimly