Larry Gales

Biography

In September of 1964, when Thelonious Monk was looking for a bass player, Larry Gales was recommended. The rest is history. Gales remained with the Monk quartet until just before Christmas 1968, and was the bassist for the Thelonious Monk Quartet’s principal period.

Gales started playing bass as a youngster, and by 1956 was studying at the Manhattan School of Music. He had played with the Lockjaw Davis/Johnny Griffin Quintet, Junior Mance, Joe Williams and Herbie Mann before joining up with Monk in ’64. He remained as the bassist with Monk until 1968, whereupon he relocated out to Los Angeles where he became a prolific and highly sought session man and accompanist.

Gales did one noteworthy album as leader: “A Message From Monk.”