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This is a thread dedicated to one group "The Modern Jazz Quartet"
a brief intro, and please add any appropriate comments and links.
The Modern Jazz Quartet are the personification of "cool".The most richly melodic, timeless and refined music that jazz has produced. Their reputation is as groundbreaking artists of beautiful ability is international and absolute. They sell records all around the world. The personification of musical elegance and one of the most long lasting successful ensemblešs in the history of jazz,
The Modern Jazz Quartet was originally formed in 1952 as the Milt Jackson Quartet and consisted of Jackson on vibraphone, John Lewis on piano, Percy Heath on bass and Kenny Clarke on drums.
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.
Taken from an artical by
Scott Yanow, All Music Guide
here is a sample of the MJQ and a pic of Pearcy Heath.
http://www.************/audio/XonC3Di...gs_groove.html
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Originally Posted by Dorsetmike
I checked my online storage and it would appear this could have been the only one so more pics are needed so John Lewis
Just as an afterthought :
but it would be hard to fit them in the right place
