Thelonius Monk was one of the truly great piano geniuses on the international jazz scene. Esbjörn Svensson was one of the truly great piano talents on the Scandinavian jazz scene. In some way you knew that they had to meet sooner or later. At last spiritually. And musically. “Plays Monk” is the telling title of the CD from 1996 by Esbjörn Svensson Trio (EST), now released on ACT. Ten of the most beloved songs by Monk, from nocturnal, lovingly caressing “`Round Midnight” to the gay and sprightly “Rhythm-A-Ning”, gets here a becomingly shining new colour.