Thelonious Sphere Monk III (born December 27, 1949) is an American jazz drummer, composer and bandleader.

Monk's destiny was sealed when Art Blakey gave him his first drum set at the age of 15, and began lessons with Max Roach.

This is the "80th Anniversary Birthday Tribute to Thelonious Sphere Monk" featuring 20 guest artists including Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, Arturo Sandoval, Dianne Reeves, Nnenna Freelon, and Howard Johnson.

For two consecutive seasons, December 1996 and January 1998, on ABC, jazz returned to network television after a twenty-five-year absence.

lang, as well as Thelonious performing his father's signature tune, "'Round Midnight", with Herbie Hancock, Pat Metheny, and Nnenna Freelon.