Thelonius Monk Blue Monk

Thelonious Monk performing his composition 'Blue Monk' in 1958.

I've read in a few places that Monk was upset that Count Basie was sitting there and looking at him. He supposedly said something along the lines of "How would he like it if i stared at him when he played?" The other 'watchers' are Jimmy Rushing, Coleman Hawkins and the station announcer.