Epistrophy is a bebop jazz standard co written by Thelonious Monk and Kenny Clarke in 1941, born from the Minton's Playhouse jam sessions. It was first released around 1948. The tune is typically played in a 32-bar ABCB form and is known for Monk's angular, dissonant piano and Clarke's inventive drumming, inviting bold, avant garde interpretations. Notable versions include a 1957 live Monk performance with John Coltrane that was released in 2005, and Steve Lacy's 1969 album Epistrophy. The piece has become a landmark of the bebop era.
