'''Thelonious Sphere „T. S.“ Monk, Jr.''' (* 27. Dezember 1949 in New York City, New York) ist ein amerikanischer Jazz-Schlagzeuger, Perkussionist und Komponist des Post Bop.

Monk hatte sein Bühnen-Debüt mit zehn Jahren an der Seite seines Vaters R&B Charts erfolgreich waren, wie ''Bon Bon Vie (Gimme the Good Life)'' oder ''Candidate for Love''.  In den 1990er Jahren wandte sich Monk neben den eher Funk-orientierten Aufnahmen mit seiner regulären Band dem Werk seines Vaters zu und rekapitulierte dabei den Sound der klassischen Blue Note Labels. Dies gelang ihm insbesondere mit dem Album ''Monk on Monk'', das er 1997 mit Gastmusikern wie John Clark, Dave Holland, Christian McBride, Kevin Mahogany und Dianne Reeves aufnahm und das ausschließlich den Kompositionen seines Vaters gewidmet war.<ref>Zit. nach Cook & Morton, S. 1047 f.. Die Autoren bewerteten in der 6. Auflage des ''Penguin Guides of Jazz'' - bei allen Vorbehalten gegenüber dem sonstigen Werk des Bandleaders - das Werk ''Monk on Monk'' mit der Höchstnote von vier Sternen und nennen es „a splendid recording, multi-dimensional, richly textured, carefully thought out and thoroughly satisfying“.</ref> Monks Schlagzeugstil ist von Max Roach und Tony Williams beeinflusst.  

== Diskographische Hinweise ==

*''Human'' (1982)
*''Take One'' (1992)
*''Changing of the Guard'' (1993)
*''The Charm'' (1995)
*''Monk on Monk'' (1997)
*''Crosstalk'' (1999)
*''Higher Ground'' (2003)

== Weblinks und Quellen ==

{{Infobox musical artist 
| Name                = T. S. Monk
| Img                 = T.S.Monk.jpg
| Img_capt            = T. S. Monk at the Newport Jazz Festival on August 13, 2005.
| Img_size            = 
| Landscape           = 
| Background          = non_vocal_instrumentalist
| Birth_name          = Thelonious Sphere Monk, Jr.
| Alias               = 
| Born                = 
| Died                = 
| Origin              = New York, USA
| Instrument          = Drums and percussion.
| Voice_type          = 
| Genre               = Neo-bop.
| Occupation          = Musician, Drummer, Percussionist, Composer, Bandleader.
| Years_active        = 1980&ndash;Present
| Label               = Blue Note 
| Associated_acts     = 
| URL                 = [http://www.monkzone.com/silent/TSM1html.htm Website]
| Current_members     = 
| Past_members        = 
| Notable_instruments = 
}}

'''T.S. Monk''' (Born December 27, 1949 as '''Thelonious Sphere Monk, Jr.''') is a jazz drummer, composer and band leader. 

He began his music career early in his life, honing his skills throughout the 70's.  By the dawning of the 80's, he had formed his eponymous band, which featured him on lead vocals and drums.  The group's debut album, 1980's ''House of Music'' featured several hits that placed on the R&B chart, including "Bon Bon Vie (Gimme the Good Life)" and "Candidate for Love."  The band went on to release two more albums throughout the early 80's, though singles released from these albums did not fare as well as those on the debut.  The band broke up shortly thereafter.

By the 1990's, Monk was ready to begin his solo career, in which he has taken a decidedly more jazz-oriented direction.

He is the son of Thelonious Monk.