Anyone know what was Monks last composition?

[Hardbopjazz]

By the mid 1960s Monk was basically recording his prior compositions. Anyone know what his last piece he wrote was?

[BillF]

It will be in Robin Kelley's biography. "Green Chimneys" must have been one of the latest.

[Blue Train]

According to this site there were 2 compositions recorded in 1971 (Blue Sphere & Something in Blue on Nov. 15th) and one in 1972 (a private recording @ de Koenigswarter's house of A Merrier Christmas with Monk singing.) It doesn't mention in what order they were composed.


http://www.monkzone.com/compositionshtml.htm

Edited August 27, 2013 by Blue Train

[John L]

Yes, "Underground" seems to be the last album that contained original compositions, including Green Chimneys, Boo Boo's Birthday, and Ugly Beauty.

[erwbol]

Didn't he create some new material on the spot for the Black Lion recordings in London?

[Chuck Nessa]

That would be Blue Sphere and Something in Blue (mentioned above) but they really are not "compositions" but improvised blues.

[jeffcrom]

I was always under the impression the "A Merrier Christmas" was the last piece he wrote, but I'm not sure where I read/heard that.