Rhythm-a-Ning

A year before I was born Mulligan and Monk released this all-time classic Monk tune. Gerry Mulligan had red hair and beard that faded white well before my own, but red or white he was a musical giant, with one of those peculiar personal histories that only seem possible in these here twisted United States. Was it really his African-American nanny Lily Rose who set him down the path to jazz greatness? If so, thank you Lily!