When I’ve seen Thelonius Monk play in recorded shows, he just strikes me of being cool. And when i saw “cool”, I don’t mean that his personality is frigid and stoic, he’s just really neat. That little goat beard, the hats, the shoes,* the way he plays the piano* and his over-all appearance. Such a funny-looking, warm yet totally intelligent and cool man.
Don’t forget the little dance.
Anyone named Thelonius Sphere Monk has got to be too damn cool. Eric Dolphy comes a close second though
For my money it’s Monk.
but I’d go along with Mingus too (along with, not instead of)
I’ve said elsewhere: Monk wasn’t a musician, he was the patron god of cool.
Monk is very cool, but coolest? We’re not debating abilities or impact, just impressions of coolness, right?
I’d go with Dizzy or Mingus.
Keep on bopin’.
Monk is right up there (NC born and bred like me!) but I hold out for Dexter Gordon. He was so smooth and cool there oughta be a law. “He could attract a crowd just by putting his horn together.”
Nah. It’d have to be Lester Young.
Influenced more musicians than just about anybody short of Louis Armstrong, both directly and indirectly (because of his own influence on Charlie Parker, who then influenced more musicians than anyone BUT Louis Armstrong). Invented his own slang; hardly anybody could tell what the guy was saying most of the time. Played his tenor at an absurd and highly photogenic angle. Got his nickname from Billie Holliday. Looked great in a porkpie hat.