Who do you think is the most underrated jazz musician? And why?

This question is quite interesting because the title "most underrated" is inherently subjective. Within the jazz community, many fans and musicians have their own answers. But if I had to choose one person, my vote would go to pianist and composer Thelonious Monk.

You might say, "Monk is very famous! How could he be underrated?"

It's true, his place in jazz history is undisputed. However, for the general listening public, the "goodness" and the "greatness" of his music are often misunderstood, or perhaps, not fully appreciated.

Why is he considered underrated?

Simply put, compared to other jazz giants of his era, like the virtuosic and dazzling Charlie Parker or the elegant and lyrical Bill Evans, Monk’s music sounds a bit... "weird."

Initial "dissonance": Many people hearing Monk for the first time might react: "Did this guy hit a wrong note?" His playing is full of notes that sound "off," and its rhythm can be halting and angular, like someone walking with an awkward swagger. For a long time, even some critics and fellow musicians thought he lacked technique or dismissed him as an "oddball."
The disconnect between fame and understanding: Several of his compositions, like 'Round Midnight, became universally known jazz standards. But many people only know these tunes as sounding "nice," while few truly explore the unique musical mind behind them—the one who created them. His fame is largely built on his "eccentric" persona and a few hit songs, rather than a deep understanding of his entire musical language.

Thelonious Monk

So what makes him truly brilliant? (Plainly put)

Monk's music isn't the sort that sounds instantly "smooth" or "pleasing" to the ear. He's more like a profound thinker, a philosopher or painter with a unique language.

1. A genius who used "wrong notes" to create what was right

Those "wrong-sounding" notes Monk played were actually meticulously planned. He deliberately chose notes considered "against the rules" in traditional theory to create tension, suspense, and humor.

An analogy: Think of a master chef using a spice you'd never expect—say, a pinch of salt or pepper in a dessert. At first taste, you might be taken aback, but soon you realize it's precisely that touch of "dissonance" that makes the flavor incredibly rich, multi-layered, and endlessly fascinating. Monk was that culinary maverick in jazz.

2. A magician of rhythm and space

While many jazz pianists play streams of notes like cascading waterfalls, Monk was different. He was a master at using silence and pauses.

Another analogy: Picture a master storyteller. They know exactly when to enthral you with fluent prose and when to suddenly pause, building anticipation, leaving listeners hanging on the edge. The empty spaces in his playing are as important as the notes themselves. This mastery of "negative space" filled his music with drama.

3. His compositions are "textbook" standards

This is perhaps the strongest proof of his greatness. Although his playing style was highly personal, the melodies and harmonic structures of the tunes he wrote are exceptionally solid and sophisticated. They became fundamental teaching tools and performance staples for countless jazz musicians—what we call Jazz Standards.

Almost every jazz learner plays several Monk tunes. For example:

'Round Midnight
Straight, No Chaser
Blue Monk
Well, You Needn't

For a musician, composing even one enduring standard is a huge achievement. Monk wrote a whole book of them. This shows that the underlying logic of his music is unimpeachable.

How to get into Monk's music?

If you want to try understanding this "quirky genius," I recommend starting with these steps:

Listen to an album: Start with Monk's Dream (1963). This album has excellent sound quality and features a classic band lineup (sax, piano, bass, drums). It's one of his more accessible mid-career works and showcases his signature style well.
Listen to key tracks:
- 'Round Midnight: Start with this "jazz hymn" to feel the melancholy and beauty in his melody. Compare Miles Davis's (or others') versions to Monk's own; you'll hear how distinctly personal his approach was.
- Straight, No Chaser: Feel his quirky rhythmic sense. This tune sounds like someone walking happily with a playful, loping gait, full of humor.
- Blue Monk: One of his most famous blues tunes. Its simple melody is instantly recognizable, letting you appreciate how he expressed deep emotion with minimal notes.

To summarize:

Thelonious Monk isn't the kind of musician who gives you a "wow, that's so polished" feeling on the first listen. His music requires you to set aside conventional ideas of "beauty" and approach it with patience and curiosity. Once you get accustomed to his "halting" musical language, you'll discover a whole new world of logic, humor, and profound emotion.

He was a true architect of music; he just built quirky-looking structures that were incredibly sound. Therefore, I believe he is one of the greatest jazz musicians ever, "underrated" by the broader listening ear.