the Bird that flew to the north

I was born Thelonious Monk
But im known as the Bird
Born in the south flew
To the north like a bird
To accomplish my dream to
Be a Jazz musician
My style was “hard-swinging”
And considered one of the giants in the game

I competed with the greats
And only came in 2nd
But I was still featured on time
To leave a trace of my life
Largely self-taught and
Im not trying to brag but
Should have been the
Greatest one