Thelonious Monk was a little-known figure on the New York City bebop scene when Blue Note founder Alfred Lion discovered and fell in love with the pianist’s utterly unique music and offered Monk his first opportunity to record as a leader.

Over four sessions recorded in 1947 and 1948, Blue Note documented Monk in trio, quartet, quintet, and sextet settings performing his singular compositions including “’Round Midnight,” “Ruby My Dear,” “Epistrophy,” “Well You Needn’t,” and “Thelonious,” and released the 10” LP Genius of Modern Music.

In 1956, Blue Note transitioned to the 12” LP and began the fabled 1500 Series which included the expanded Genius of Modern Music, Volume One (BLP 1510) featuring one of Reid Miles’ earliest cover designs for the label.