5 Things to Know About the Two Piano Sessions on Bags' Groove

The album Bags’ Groove features two different pianists across its sessions. Thelonious Monk played on the December 1954 session, while Horace Silver played on the June session.

Monk’s session is the more famous one. It includes the classic track “Bags’ Groove” and showcases Monk’s distinctive, angular style.

Silver’s session is more straightforward and bluesy. His playing is more conventional than Monk’s, fitting the hard bop style he helped pioneer.

Both sessions feature the same core rhythm section. Milt Jackson on vibraphone, Percy Heath on bass, and Kenny Clarke on drums appear on both.

The album title comes from Jackson’s composition “Bags’ Groove.” “Bags” was Jackson’s nickname, and the tune appears on both sessions.