A newly restored recording of jazz pioneer Thelonious Monk’s 1967 Paris concert will receive its first official release with ‘Monk Live in Paris, 1967 Volume One’. The album arrives April 24, 2026 on 180-gram vinyl and digital platforms through the Thelonious Monk Estate’s Rhythm-A-Ning Entertainment. Captured during Monk’s European tour, the performance features his classic quartet with Charlie Rouse on tenor saxophone, Larry Gales on bass, and Ben Riley on drums.
The recording also includes appearances from several acclaimed guest musicians. Alto saxophonist Phil Woods, trombonist Jimmy Cleveland, trumpeter Ray Copeland, and tenor saxophonist Johnny Griffin join the quartet in different combinations across the performance. A second release, ‘Monk Live in Paris, 1967 Volume Two’, scheduled for October 9, 2026, expands the ensemble into a nonet with the addition of trumpet legend Clark Terry.
Volume One highlights four compositions from Monk’s catalog, including “Epistrophy”, “Evidence”, “We See”, and the ballad “Ruby, My Dear”. Throughout the extended performances, the horn arrangements create rich harmonic layers while Monk’s distinctive piano style anchors the music. The interplay between Gales and Riley provides a steady rhythmic foundation, allowing the soloists to explore spontaneous improvisation.
The album is part of a broader archival initiative by the Monk Estate to bring historic recordings into authorized circulation after decades of appearing as unofficial bootlegs. The project aims to present these performances with restored audio and carefully curated partnerships that reflect Monk’s artistic legacy. The recording was mastered by engineer Rudy Van Gelder, with album artwork created by Japanese artist Gaku Inada.
Alongside the release, the Monk Estate is partnering with luxury hat company Optimo for the second entry in its Icon Series collection. Only 88 hats will be produced, referencing the 88 keys of the piano. Each hat will be individually numbered and available in three colors inspired by Monk’s signature style, with a special vinyl pressing included for collectors.