Music has been an integral part of human culture since the dawn of time. Ever since man discovered how to sing, we have used music to worship, entertain, and learn. The biblical Gentile David played his harp for King Saul and during worship. Emperor Nero played the violin while Rome burned. Music has always been present throughout history. Music is the sound by which we live, love and die. Our modern music wouldn't be what it is if it weren't for the jazz musicians of the 40s and 50s. These jazz musicians serve as influences for all musicians to follow, both in their innovations in musical styles, but also in their lifestyles. We have men like Charlie “Bird” Parker, John Coltrane, and Thelonious Monk to thank for the music we enjoy today. Each of these men contributed exceptionally to music. While none of them are still very popular today or were in their time, they undeniably helped usher in a new era of music. Thelonious Monk was made known to the world in 1964 when he appeared on the cover of Time magazine. Only three other jazz musicians had previously been featured: Louis Armstrong, Dave Brubeck and Duke Ellington. (Teachout, “Monk”) At age 24, Monk began working at a Harlem club called Minton's Playhouse, where he heard several young musicians working on a new style of jazz called Bebop. Already an accomplished gospel pianist, he was inspired to compose his own music, the most famous of which was released in the late 1940s and early 1950s. His playing was very unorthodox. He played the piano with very straight and steady fingers. Normally, pianists have a natural cupped hand shape to facilitate playing scales and patterns that require long stretches across the keyboard. ...... middle of the sheet ...... blood order that can be so evident in classical music. Charlie “Bird” Parker was right in 1949 when he said “In 50 or 75 years, the contribution of today's jazz will be taken as seriously as classical music, wait and see.” (Teachout, “Charlie”) 65 years later, his prediction turned out to be true. Works Cited Teachout, Terry. "Was Thelonious Monk's music crazy? Tenacious, difficult, unpopular, yes; the work of a madman, no." Commentary 129.1 (2010): 57+. Literary resources from Gale. Network. March 12, 2014. Teaching, Terry. "Blues for Mister Charlie: a difficult jazz player resists." Commentary 136.2 (2013): 58+. Literary resources from Gale. Network. March 12, 2014. Strickland, Edward. "What Coltrane wanted: the legendary saxophonist abandoned lyricism for the pursuit of ecstasy." Atlantic December 1987: 100+. Literary resources from Gale. Network. March 12. 2014.