"Trinkle Tinkle" is one of Thelonious Monk's most technically demanding compositions, and this 1957 recording from Thelonious Monk with John Coltrane showcases both musicians navigating its intricate melodic and harmonic challenges. Coltrane delivers three ambitious choruses through the 32-bar AABA form at a medium-up tempo, his sheets-of-sound approach beginning to emerge as he searches for ways to navigate Monk's unconventional chord progressions. The tenor saxophonist's solo reveals the transformative effect that his time with Monk had on his musical development, as he wrestles with angular intervals and unexpected harmonic turns that pushed him beyond his comfort zone. Monk follows with two characteristically idiosyncratic piano choruses, his spare, percussive touch and fondness for whole-tone runs and dissonant voicings creating a soundworld entirely his own. Wilbur Ware contributes a full bass chorus that demonstrates his adventurous harmonic sense and elastic rhythmic feel, qualities that made him Monk's preferred bassist during this period. Shadow Wilson provides steady, understated drumming that supports without intruding. The album documents one of the most consequential musical partnerships in jazz history, and this track captures both musicians at their most intellectually engaged.
