Thelonious Monk: Straight, No Chaser

Directed by Charlotte Zwerin

Expanding on rare 16mm footage of Monk’s 1967 tour shot by Christian Blackwood, Charlotte Zwerin has created the definitive filmic portrait of the master bop pianist-composer. The film fleshes out Monk’s character, from his harmonic theories to his use of quarter – tones to his relationship with his patron, baroness Nica de Koenigswarter. The music is of course sublime.

 

Duration:
89 minutes

Country of origin:
Canada and France

Year of production:
1988