Jazz is much more than music. It is a way of thinking that has defined literature, philosophy and music. Surrounded by its own lifestyle and culture, jazz is constantly evolving. Emerging from the oppression of slavery, jazz inspired musicians to define and express freedom through music. As jazz evolved, it began to inspire freedom, just as freedom had inspired it. New anthems written for civil rights and protests against apartheid demonstrated that jazz had the power to inspire change. Clad in a shell of glory, jazz hid its own inner darkness. Discrimination is endemic throughout jazz culture. Racism, addiction, ageism, mental illness, and the power of first impressions have limited or ended the careers of many great jazz musicians. The biography, Thelonius Monk, The Life and Times of an American Original by Robin DG Kelly, is an in-depth discussion of the internal culture of jazz from the late 1930s until Monk's death in 1982. Thelonius has suffered discrimination throughout his career and yet became a pillar of modern jazz. Thelonius Monk suffered from bipolar disorder. His condition was confused with creativity and eccentricity. Although beloved by fellow musicians, critics, venue owners and the New York City police, all prevented Monk's career from reaching its full potential. Thelonius Monk began showing symptoms of undiagnosed bipolar disorder early in his career. Monk often went days without sleep, visiting friends and playing the piano for long periods of time. Alternatively, he would occasionally spend several days in his room. He was sometimes chronically late to performances because he couldn't decide what to wear. Often during shows, Monk would leave the stage...... middle of paper......sician to win a Grammy Award in the classical and jazz genres. Christian has earned Grammy nominations, released ten recordings in ten years, and was selected by Marcus Miller to "be" Miles Davis on his album Tutu Revisited. Marsalis said what Scott plays is not jazz. In return, Scott called Marsalis a traditionalist who lacks the ability to innovate. In reality, both musicians have merit. Much like Ornette Coleman and Thelonious Monk, Marsalis and Scott are just two musicians arguing between new and old. Ultimately, both would become curators of their own respective jazz styles. Discrimination has destroyed or stunted the careers of jazz musicians since its inception. However, discrimination has not hindered jazz's ability to evolve and if discrimination is eliminated from jazz, it will once again become the cultural center it once was.