Not the best pianist I've ever heard (that goes to Art Tatum, who was also BLIND), but damn, the Monk's got style. Definitely one of my favorite jazz musicians, and he could really bring out the best of the people he played with (John Coltrane, Sonny Rollins, Art Blakey, Max Roach, etc.). "Ruby My Dear" is one of my favorite jazz songs.
"The Monk is deep." -Dizzy Gillespie