On May 14 and 15, 1957, Thelonious Monk recorded a one-off album for Atlantic Records with Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers; it was Monk's only appearance with the label. It was also his only recording with the Jazz Messengers, an ever-evolving collective led by drummer Art Blakey, who is joined on the album by Johnny Griffin on tenor saxophone, Bill Hardman on trumpet and bassist Spanky DeBrest.

Monk and Blakey often recorded together in the ten years before the 1957 sessions produced by Nesuhi Ertegun and recorded at Capitol Studios in New York. This bond makes the album a true meeting of minds, a beautiful marriage of Monk's melodies with Blakey's unwavering sense of swing in outstanding versions of Monk originals such as "In Walked Bud", "I Mean You" and "Blue Monk".

The collection comes with an illustrated booklet featuring notes by music historian, journalist and producer Ashley Khan. His text provides historical context on the artists and insightful commentary on their art. He notes, "Brilliant Corners" by Riverside and "Monk's Music" are undeniably classic recordings from the same 1956-57 period, yet they were more about studio artistry and the introduction of new material. Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers With Thelonious Monk from Atlantic was also a studio album, but it's bursting with the kind of energy that befits a blow session that packs all kinds of punch.