Thelonious Monk Straight, No Chaser | Charlotte Zwerin

The closest a film camera ever got to enigmatic jazz visionary Thelonious Monk, this intimate portrait sheds light on the corners of a brilliant and complex life. Superbly crafted by Direct Cinema pioneer Charlotte Zwerin from a trove of precious 1960s archival footage, Thelonious Monk Straight, No Chaser captures the pianist, composer, and bebop innovator in rare, unguarded moments on- and offstage, revealing an eccentric and complicated personality. Made with the same freedom of spirit that defines Monk’s artistry, this essential slice of jazz history is a unique glimpse into the quixotic world of one of the twentieth century’s most revolutionary artists.

BLU-RAY SPECIAL EDITION FEATURES

★ New 4K digital restoration, with uncompressed monaural soundtrack
★ Introduction by director Charlotte Zwerin
★ New interview with musician T. S. Monk, son of Thelonious Monk
★ New program about Zwerin and the making of the film featuring interviews with writer Michael Schulman, editor Bernadine Colish, and Zwerin’s nieces Lisa and Laura Tesone
★ Trailer
★ English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
★ PLUS: An essay by musician and scholar Paul Grimstad

Film Details

United States
1988
89 minutes
Color/Black and White
1.33:1
English