The Best of Modern Jazz Quartet Music
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The Modern Jazz Quartet was a jazz combo established in 1952 that played music influenced by classical, cool jazz, and hard bop. They are known for their work with Thelonious Monk, John Lewis, and Dizzy Gillespie.
The Birth of the Modern Jazz Quartet
The Modern Jazz Quartet (MJQ) was a jazz combo established in 1952 that played music influenced by classical, cool jazz, bebop, and blues. For most of its history the group was composed of John Lewis (pianist), Milt Jackson (vibraphonist), Percy Heath (double bassist), and Connie Kay (drummer). The group reformed in 1981 with Heath and Kay replaced by bassist Yoron Israel and drummer Ralph Petterson.
The MJQ’s performances were hailed for their musicianship and ingenuity. They are credited with Returning chamber music to jazz and inspiring countless other combos. The group was noted for its abilities in improvisation and composition, creating many unique originals over the years. They recorded over 50 albums during their initial stint together, disbanding in 1974. The quartet reconvened 14 years later, continuing to perform and record until Jackson’s death in 1999.
The Members of the Modern Jazz Quartet
The Modern Jazz Quartet was a jazz combo established in 1952 that played until 1974. For much of that time, the group was composed of John Lewis (piano), Milt Jackson (vibraphone), Percy Heath (double bass), and Connie Kay (drums). The group grew out of the collapse of Dizzy Gillespie’s big band, whereLewis and Jackson worked as soloists and arrangers. They decided to pursue a more chamber music-styled approach, grounded in programming standards rather than improvised pieces.
The Music of the Modern Jazz Quartet
The Modern Jazz Quartet was a jazz combo established in 1952 that played in a variety of styles, including cool jazz, bebop, third stream and world music. The group performed over a 40-year span with only one personnel change. The original lineup consisted of John Lewis (piano), Milt Jackson (vibraphone), Percy Heath (bass) and Connie Kay (drums).
The Quartet’s reputation was established with their recording of Vendome in 1953. They went on to record a string of highly acclaimed albums for Atlantic Records in the 1950s and 1960s, including Django, Pyramid and Concorde. In 1974, the group reunited with former member Milt Jackson to record Big Train.
After Jackson’s death in 1999, the remaining members continued to perform and record as a trio until Heath’s death in 2005. The last surviving member, Lewis, died in 2013.
The Legacy of the Modern Jazz Quartet
The Modern Jazz Quartet was one of the most influential and successful jazz groups of the 20th century. Formed in 1952, the quartet was originally composed of pianist John Lewis, bassist Percy Heath, drummer Kenny Clarke, and vibraphonist Milt Jackson. The group was known for its distinctive blend of jazz styles, as well as its advanced rhythmic and harmonic approach to improvisation.
The MJQ’s popularity peaked in the 1960s with a series of critically acclaimed recordings, including their 1962 live album ”At Carnegie Hall”. The group disbanded in 1974 but later reunited in 1981 and continued to perform and record together until Jackson’s death in 1999. The MJQ’s legacy continues to influence jazz musicians today.
