Despite various reissue formats over several decades, the seven original LPs contained in Thelonious Monk - The Riverside Tenor Sessions stood perfectly well on their own at the time of initial release and remain among the highest achievements of a truly golden age. Recorded and released between 1956 and 1961, these seven Monk combo albums were critical in Monk's emergence from a decade of ridicule and neglect to his status at the pinnacle of the jazz pantheon.
One of the most significant events in jazz took place in the latter part of 1957 at the Five Spot in New York, where the Thelonious Monk quartet featuring John Coltrane on tenor saxophone was in residence. The music that Monk made with Coltrane quickly attained the status of legend. Although the group remained together for only a half-year, those who were lucky enough to witness them play called it electrifying.