Evidence is a jazz tune written by Thelonious Monk. It was first recorded on July 2, 1948 for the Wizard of the Vibes sessions with Milt Jackson, and it is a contrafact of the standard Just You, Just Me—its title reportedly evolved from Just You, Just Me to Just Us to Justice and finally to Evidence. The piece later appeared on the 1960 album titled Evidence, and it became a hallmark of Monk’s repertoire, showcased in notable live sets such as the Carnegie Hall 1957 concert with John Coltrane and the Five Spot performances. The 1957 Carnegie Hall show, a landmark event, helped spotlight the intense dialogue between Monk’s piano and Coltrane’s improvisations. In later years, Evidence was also included in the Thelonious Monk with John Coltrane sessions and remains a staple example of Monk’s distinctive harmonic language and bebop/post-bop style.
