The Story Is Told
Thelonious and Nica

Pianist Thelonious Monk was initially introduced to Baroness Pannonica "Nica" de Koenigswarter by Mary Lou Williams. Nica, a member of the Rothschild family was a patron of several New York City jazz musicians. Wikipedia recalls that "She was a close friend for the rest of Monk's life: she "served as a surrogate wife right alongside Monk's equally devoted actual wife, Nellie" and "paid Monk's bills, dragged him to an endless array of doctors, put him and his family up in her own home and, when necessary, helped Nellie institutionalize him. In 1958, Monk and the baroness were stopped by the police in Delaware. When a small amount of marijuana was discovered, she took the rap for her friend and even served a few nights in jail."

​

The following extract is taken from The Baroness: The Search For Nica The Rebellious Rothschild by Hannah Rothschild, published by Virago.

​

'Roy Haynes has clear memories of Nica and Monk sweeping into the club every night: 'Her arrival was preceded momentarily by a whiff of her favourite perfume, Jean Patou's 'Joy', a scent powerful enough to cut through any cigarette smoke.

​

'Thelonious was usually very late. We were supposed to start at nine. Sometimes he would get there eleven or even later with the Baroness. They would walk in together and go right back into the kitchen, that was the hangout, and start making hamburgers. Sometimes Monk would come right in there and lie down on the table and go to sleep. He wouldn't even talk, you know. Nica was responsible for getting him to the club but getting him on stage was not easy. When he was ready to wake up and play, he would come up and play his heart out'.

​

'Bundled up against the winter cold in a huge fur coat, Nica was often surrounded by a group of admirers. She sat in her favourite spot nearest the stage with a Bible on the table in front of her: the good book was a flask of whisky in disguise ....'

​

Monk wrote the tune Pannonica, dedicated to Nica. Wikipedia: "As his health declined, Monk's last six years were spent as a guest in the Weehawken, New Jersey, home of his long-standing patron and friend Pannonica, who nursed Monk during his final illness. She proved to be a steadfast presence, as did his own wife Nellie, especially as his life descended into further isolation. Monk did not play the piano during this time, even though one was present in his room, and he spoke to few visitors. He died of a stroke on February 17, 1982."

​

Here is Thelonious Monk introducing and playing Pannonica, the tune he dedicated to Nica: