Tete Monetelieu was born blind. His father was a musician and his mother played piano jazz. She taught his piano and got him an education in a school for the blind. She was very instrumental in getting him into jazz. His early style was influenced by Art Tatum, although he soon developed his own style. He plyaed in clubs in Spain and was noticed by Lionel Hampton who took him on tour through Europe. He was one of the main referents in hard bop jazz. Worked with Dexter Gordon, George Coleman, Joe Henderson, Dizzy Guillespie, Chick Corea, and many others. Before his death in 1996 Spain honored him for his 50 years playing jazz.
Blind Catalonian (Spanish)jazz pianist Tete Monelieu and his trio in "Stella by Starlight."
ReplyDeleteTete Monetelieu was born blind. His father was a musician and his mother played piano jazz. She taught his piano and got him an education in a school for the blind. She was very instrumental in getting him into jazz. His early style was influenced by Art Tatum, although he soon developed his own style. He plyaed in clubs in Spain and was noticed by Lionel Hampton who took him on tour through Europe. He was one of the main referents in hard bop jazz. Worked with Dexter Gordon, George Coleman, Joe Henderson, Dizzy Guillespie, Chick Corea, and many others. Before his death in 1996 Spain honored him for his 50 years playing jazz.
ReplyDelete