New York born T.S Monk is an accomplished jazz drummer, composer and bandleader. He started out playing trumpet and piano before switching to drums and began taking lessons from Max Roach when he was 13. He toured with his father's quartet during 1970’s, then later played in his own bands including ‘Natural Essence’. In 1986, he established the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz, an organization that celebrates Monk Sr.'s music. Monk received the New York Jazz Awards First Annual “Recording of the Year” award and Downbeat’s prestigious 63rd annual Album of the Year Reader’s Choice Award for the “Monk on Monk” tribute album to his father. “Monk On Monk” featured over twenty guest artists including Hancock, Wayne Shorter, Arturo Sandoval, and Nnenna Freelon.