Jazz / Cool, Third Stream
Arif Mardin Producer
Connie Kay Group Member, Drums
Florence Halfon Series Coordinator, Compilation
Giovanni Scatola Mastering
Ilhan Mimaroglu Producer
John Richard Lewis Harpsichord, Piano, Group Member
Keith Shadwick Liner Notes
Milt Jackson Vibraphone, Group Member
Nesuhi Ertegun Producer, Supervisor
Percy Heath Bass, Group Member
Sonny Rollins Sax (Tenor)
2006 issue diigtally remastered midpriced collection in a lavish digipak with detailed liner and session notes. Formed in 1952 by former Dizzy Gillespie sidemen John Lewis and Milt Jackson, the Modern Jazz Quartet's lineup was set by 1955 with bassist Percy Heath and drummer Connie Kay.
The Modern Jazz Quartet
Active Decades: '50s, '60s, '70s, '80s, '90s and '00s
Born: 1952
Genre: Jazz
Styles: Bop, Cool, Third Stream
Pianist John Lewis, vibraphonist Milt Jackson, bassist Ray Brown and drummer Kenny Clarke first came together as the rhythm section of the 1946 Dizzy Gillespie & His Orchestra and they had occasional features that gave the overworked brass players a well-deserved rest. They next came together in 1951, recording as the Milt Jackson Quartet. In 1952, with Percy Heath taking Brown's place, the Modern Jazz Quartet (MJQ) became a permanent group. Other than Connie Kay succeeding Clarke in 1955, the band's personnel was set. In the early days Jackson and Lewis both were equally responsible for the group's musical direction but the pianist eventually took over as musical director. The MJQ has long displayed John Lewis' musical vision, making jazz seem respectable by occasionally interacting with classical ensembles and playing concerts at prestigious venues, but always leaving plenty of space for bluesy and swinging improvising. Their repertoire, in addition to including veteran bop and swing pieces, introduced such originals as Lewis' "Django" and Jackson's "Bags' Groove." The group recorded for Prestige (1952-55), Atlantic (1956-74), Verve (1957), United Artists (1959) and Apple (1967-69) and, in addition to the many quartet outings, they welcomed such guests as Jimmy Giuffre, Sonny Rollins, the Beaux Arts String Quartet, a symphony orchestra conducted by Gunther Schuller, singer Diahann Carroll (on one piece), Laurindo Almeida, a big band and the Swingle Singers. Although the musicians all had opportunities to pursue individual projects, in 1974 Milt Jackson, tired of the constant touring and the limitations set on his improvising and he quit the group, causing the MJQ to have a final tour and break up. In 1981 Jackson relented and the Modern Jazz Quartet (which has recorded further albums for Pablo and Atlantic) became active again although on a more part-time basis. Connie Kay's health began to fade in the early '90s (Mickey Roker often filled in for him) and after his death in 1995, Albert "Tootie" Heath became his replacement.
--- Scott Yanow, All Music Guide |
