What conditions does it take to grow a Thelonious Monk?

The San Juan Hill community was built on the backs of hard working, lower class, African American’s. Much of the housing had horrible conditions and people were continuously getting sick. The areas were predominantly African American but there were some areas that had white populations and these created gangs. With the constant turmoil created by gangs and the political issues of the time race riots became common. Leimert Park shares many of these characterizes but in a modern sense. The movie portrait Leimert Park as a lower class neighborhood, troubled by gangs and race riots. The two areas also had diversity in their communities that was showcased by music performances. The cities were, sanctuaries small units, which had a unique culture and fostered close relationships between the members. Monk’s wife described, “It was like a little village. Everybody knew everybody.” (pg. 20) There were large block parties showcasing all the different styles of music that the community brought.(pg. 23)This sense of community played a large part in the development of Monk’s musical talent. His teachers, audiences, and competition were his neighbors. He was well known throughout his town; even from about 11 years old it was clear that he was going to be a star. This intimate community fostered Jazz in the sense that it was everywhere. With budding musicians like Monk, his siblings, and Seifield Gordon Heath, the competition between the students was the talk of the town and with undiscovered stars like Alberta Simmons playing at local venues; Jazz was in everyone’s life. (pg.27) This sense of community and sanctuary is part of what makes people identify New York with Jazz. New York Jazz was not just this sanctuary of the block parties, rent parties, and small communities, but also the Clubs, the stage and the opportunities that were not available anywhere else at this time.

This same sense of community is a recurring theme in the development of Jazz. Community fosters creativity and allows for close competition, which pushes artists towards innovation. At the same time, music creates community. In the video about Leimert Park they describe how the number of people at the café increased exponentially when they started having live music at night. People are naturally drawn to music and have a high respect for it. Even the gangs had such high respect for music that they made Leimert Park off limits, allowing everyone to enjoy the music in peace.