[Jazz & Song] Monk, Thelonious Sphere. (1917 - 1982). Signed Portrait. Bold autograph signature on his TIME magazine cover portrait from the influential American jazz pianist, composer and arranger who had a highly unique improvisational style and who made numerous contributions to the standard jazz repertoire, including "Epistrophy", "'Round Midnight", "Blue Monk", "Straight, No Chaser" and "Well, You Needn't." Considered one of the most important, and eccentric, figures in modern jazz, he spent most of his life in New York City, playing in nightclubs; in the 1940s, he was one of the first players of bebop. His style is astringent, marked by discordant harmonies, alternating rhythms, and melodic interpretations. There is a subtle mixture of cynicism, humor, and warmth in his interpretations.

Monk has boldly signed "always / Good luck / Thelonious Monk" to a light area of his portrait on the Feb. 1964 TIME magazine cover which has been laid down completely to a rigid backing.