The issue for Thelonious and all people non-White was the weird things critics would say to make them inferior to White players. "the elephant on the keyboard"

The issue for Thelonious and all people non-White was the weird things critics would say to make them inferior to White players. "the elephant on the keyboard" "... his music was still regarded as too 'difficult' for more mainstream acceptance." His music didn't sell very well. "They said he was a self-taught mad genius but had no interest in 'serious' music." "He was naïve, brooding and primitive." "He was gifted with a childish vision but exiled from reality." If you play music you will find it funny how Thelonious would always play the song in the hardest possible key. I found it almost impossible to play them. He was smart.