The Jazz Genius and the Heiress: Thelonious Monk’s Connection To English Aristocrat

The World

A new book tells the story of a colorful patron of jazz in the 20th Century: the Baroness Pannonica de Koenigswater.

Pannonica, or “Nica”, became the muse and benefactor of jazz legend, Thelonious Monk.

He wrote for her the song “Pannonica” and lived with her in New York in his later years.

Nica was a member of the wealthy Jewish dynasty, the Rothschilds.

The book, “Baroness: The Search for Nica the Rebellious Rothschild” was written by Nica’s great-niece, Hannah Rothschild.

She shares highlights with anchor, Marco Werman.

Invest in independent global news

The World is an independent newsroom. We’re not funded by billionaires; instead, we rely on readers and listeners like you. As a listener, you’re a crucial part of our team and our global community. Your support is vital to running our nonprofit newsroom, and we can’t do this work without you. Will you support The World with a gift today? Donations made between now and Dec. 31 will be matched 1:1. Thanks for investing in our work!