Thelonious Monk performance from 1968 released for the first time

Recorded at a high school in Palo Alto.

A Thelonious Monk performance from 1968,  called Palo Alto, is being released for the via Impulse! Records this July.

Read more: The sample legacy of radical jazz pianist Thelonious Monk

In the autumn of 1968, a then 16-year-old Danny Scher set his sights on bringing Thelonious Monk and his quartet to play a benefit concert at his high school in Palo Alto, California, to help work towards racial unity in his community.

With nothing to rely on but a telephone, posters and a pitch, Scher eventually managed to organise the concert for October.

The 47-minute performance features Monk on piano alongside his touring band – tenor saxophonist Charlie Rouse, bassist Larry Gales, and drummer Ben Riley – performing songs including ‘Ruby My Dear’, ‘Well You Needn’t’, and ‘Epistrophy’.

Head here to pre-order a copy in advance of Palo Alto’s 31st July release, check out the artwork and tracklist below.

Tracklist:

Side A

1. Ruby, My Dear
2. Well, You Needn’t

Side B

1. Don’t Blame Me
2. Blue Monk
3. Epistrophy
4. I Love You Sweetheart Of All My Dreams