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After years of being ignored by critics, Thelonious Monk finally became a star in 1957 while playing in a quartet with John Coltrane. The same year, Monk recorded the jazz classic, Thelonious Himself. This innovative album contains a 21-minute version of his most recognizable song, "Round Midnight."

Such Sweet Thunder combines two master artists: Duke Ellington and William Shakespeare. A twelve-part suite based on the Bard's plays and sonnets, the album brings Lady Macbeth to life as a ragtime melody.

Woody Herman is best known as the leader of several big bands, three of which were called "The Herds." This box set, The Thundering Herds 1945-1947, contains almost fifty of Herman's popular tunes, including his first hit, "Woodchopper's Ball."

Django Reinhardt was burned in a fire when he was 18 and lost the use of two fingers. Yet he managed to rise to the top of the jazz world. The Classic Early Recordings allows us to hear Reinhardt in his early years, when his unique gypsy flamenco guitaring was just becoming popular in the United States.

Timbales virtuoso. Vibraphonist. Bongo player. Saxophonist. These are just a few of Tito Puente's titles. Perhaps best known for his appearance in the 1992 film The Mambo Kings, he also helped fuel the cha-cha craze in the 1950s. This five-disc set gives a broad overview of Puente's innovative, danceable style.

Evolving out of 1950s bebop, hard bop incorporates elements of gospel, soul and R&B. One of the style's biggest supporters, Blue Note Records, celebrates its 70th anniversary this year. And while jazz has progressed since then, hard bop is still heard in many modern jazz recordings. Hear five classics.

As a composer, Coleman has been heavily influenced by James Brown's funk. You wouldn't mistake Coleman's band Five Elements for J.B.'s, but like the Godfather of Soul, he goes in for fast, jittery beats on Harvesting Semblances and Affinities.

The disgraced former R&B star is already serving 30 years for sex trafficking and racketeering. On Thursday, he was given one more year in prison for having made pornography with three children.

The influential vocalist played a key role in shaping the funk and R&B sound of the 1970s.

Sandler will be awarded the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor on March 19. He spoke to Fresh Air in 2019, along with writer/directors Josh and Benny Safdie, about their film Uncut Gems.