October 10 marks the
birthday of Thelonious Monk who gained recognition as one of the most adventurous
and influential musicians in jazz. Wearing dark glasses and a variety of
distinctive hats and given to occasional cryptic pronouncements, Monk was prototypical
eccentric, an image that was reinforced by the unusual and distinctive arrangements
of his music and his unique performing style. Monk went his own way and played
by his rules using a percussive style of playing the piano with silences and
hesitations. A follower of the Dao must also go their own way from the crowd.
