Chris Connor - Chris Connor (Hd Remastered)

Styles: Vocal
Year: 1956/2018
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 40:46
Size: 94,9 MB
Art: Front

(1:54)  1. I Get a Kick out of You
(3:17)  2. Something to Live For
(3:11)  3. Get out of Town
(3:51)  4. Where Are You?
(2:18)  5. Anything Goes
(3:28)  6. When the Wind Was Green
(3:47)  7. He Was Too Good to Me
(2:51)  8. You Make Me Feel so Young
(3:50)  9. Everytime
(2:32) 10. Way out There
(2:47) 11. My April Heart
(2:14) 12. Almost Like Being in Love
(2:04) 13. Circus (Bonus Track)
(2:35) 14. Flying Home (Bonus Track)

Stunningly repackaged, remastered, and featuring new liner notes by leading jazz writers, the Warner Jazz Masters Series includes best sellers as well as rare, sought-after gems. The first jazz vocal LP ever released on Atlantic Records, Chris Connor's self-titled album is one of her best (among considerable competition). Connor's coarse, throaty tone, sweet phrasing, and unerring rhythm were peaking during the late '50s, and the results are delightful tweaks of the standards "Anything Goes" and "Almost Like Being in Love." With similarly excellent results, Connor also transforms a couple of Sinatra's evergreens: "I Get a Kick Out of You," taken at breakneck pace with a small group including pianist John Lewis, bassist Oscar Pettiford, and drummer Connie Kay; "Where Are You"; and "You Make Me Feel So Young," with a ten-piece featuring tenor Zoot Sims and bassist Milt Hinton.
By Editorial Reviews https://www.amazon.com/Connor-Chris/dp/B0009QQ6I0

Chris Connor (Hd Remastered)

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Modern Jazz Quartet - The Montreux Years

Styles: Jazz, Bop, Cool
Year: 2023
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 76:33
Size: 177,7 MB
Art: Front

( 5:13) 1. Ko-Ko
(15:56) 2. A Day in Dubrovnik
( 4:51) 3. Django
( 7:52) 4. Blues in A Minor
( 4:12) 5. Bags' Groove
( 4:18) 6. The Golden Striker
( 8:27) 7. One Never Knows
( 8:38) 8. Le Cannet
( 5:16) 9. Nature Boy
( 6:53) 10. Rockin' in Rhythm
( 4:50) 11. True Blues

A showcase of some of The Modern Jazz Quartet’s most iconic Montreux Jazz Festival live performances, recorded between 1985 and 1993!

The audio has Expertly restored and remastered in superlative HD audio; The Montreux Years is released on superior audiophile heavy weight vinyl, MQA quality CD and in HD digital. The release includes brand new liner notes and rare photos from his Montreux shows.

The Montreux Years is released as part of a brand new Montreux Jazz Festival and BMG collection series “The Montreux Years”. The collections will uncover legendary performances by the world’s most iconic artists alongside rare and never-before-released recordings from the festival’s rich 57-year history, remastered in superlative audio. Each collection will be accompanied by exclusive liner notes and previously unseen photography.
https://www.amazon.ca/Modern-Jazz-Quartet-Montreux-Years/dp/B0C4Q8YFPJ

Personnel: John Lewis - piano, Milt Jackson - vibraphone, Percy Heath - double bass, Connie Kay - drums

Modern Jazz Quartet: The Montreux Years

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The Modern Jazz Quartet - Fontessa

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 36:40
Size: 83.9 MB
Styles: Bop
Year: 1956/1989/2009
Art: Front

[ 3:20] 1. Versailles (Porte De Versailles)
[ 3:48] 2. Angel Eyes
[11:23] 3. Fontessa
[ 3:52] 4. Over The Rainbow
[ 5:03] 5. Bluesology
[ 4:48] 6. Willow Weep For Me
[ 4:24] 7. Woodyn You

Recorded: January 22, 1956 & February 14, 1956. John Lewis - piano; Milt Jackson - vibraphone; Percy Heath - double bass; Connie Kay - drums.

This LP has a particularly strong all-around set by the Modern Jazz Quartet. While John Lewis' "Versailles" and an 11-minute "Fontessa" show the seriousness of the group (and the influence of Western classical music), other pieces (such as "Bluesology," "Woody 'N You" and a pair of ballads) look toward the group's roots in bop and permit the band to swing hard. ~Scott Yanow

Fontessa

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The Modern Jazz Quartet - Blues on Bach

Styles: Cool Jazz, Bop
Year: 1973

File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 41:41
Size: 95,8 MB
Art: Front

(2:06)  1. Regret?
(4:58)  2. Blues in B Flat
(3:25)  3. Rise Up in the Morning
(7:54)  4. Blues in A Minor
(3:15)  5. Precious Joy
(8:00)  6. Blues in C Minor
(1:48)  7. Don't Stop This Train
(5:47)  8. Blues in H(B)
(4:24)  9. Tears from the Children

This album has an interesting concept, alternating four original blues with five adaptations of melodies from classical works by Bach. The Modern Jazz Quartet had long been quite adept in both areas, and despite a certain lack of variety on this set (alternating back and forth between the two styles somewhat predictably), the music is largely enjoyable. Vibraphonist Milt Jackson, pianist John Lewis (doubling here on harpsichord), bassist Percy Heath, and drummer Connie Kay were still all very much in their musical prime during the 21st year of the MJQ's existence.~Scott Yanow 

http://www.allmusic.com/album/blues-on-bach-mw0000188569

Personnel: John Lewis (piano, harpsichord); Milt Jackson (vibraharp); Connie Kay (drums, percussion).

Blues on Bach

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The Swingle Singers, The Modern Jazz Quartet - Place Vendome

Styles: Jazz, Bop, Cool
Year: 1966
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 37:09
Size: 86,4 MB
Art: Front

(4:17)  1. Little David's Fugue
(5:40)  2. Air For G String
(3:32)  3. Vendôme
(6:33)  4. Musikalisches Opfer Bwv 1079: No.8 Ricercar A 6
(5:04)  5. When I Am Laid In Earth (Dido's Lament)
(4:51)  6. Alexander's Fugue
(7:10)  7. Three Windows

For a short time in the mid-'60s, the Modern Jazz Quartet were working primarily in Europe and recording for the French division of Philips, with the results coming out in the United States on the MJQ's regular label, Atlantic. There was only one exception to this rule: Place Vendôme, which comprised the collaboration of the MJQ with the Swingle Singers, and which appeared in the U.S. on Philips' American subsidiary through Mercury Records. For Philips, the collaboration must have seemed like an inevitability; Ward Swingle had sung with the Double Six of Paris, which had backed up Dizzy Gillespie who, of course, had led the big band out of which the MJQ was formed in 1952. The Swingle Singers had been jazzing up the music of Johann Sebastian Bach since at least 1963 with phenomenal success, and while John Lewis wasn't quite as into the Bach bag in 1966 that he would be later, his MJQ compositions had long been taken up in European devices such as fugue and the renaissance Canzona.

Although Swingle and Lewis agreed to collaborate backstage after an MJQ concert in Paris in 1964, it wasn't until 1966 that the two groups found themselves in Paris at the same time. The resultant album, Place Vendôme, was a huge international success commercially, with the track "Aria (Orchestral Suite No. 3 in D major, BWV 1068)"though then popularly called "Air on a G String"charting strongly in Europe and the album easily earning its keep in the U.S., though it did not chart there. Not everyone was pleased; jazz critics savaged the album, the consensus being that a pop vocal group like the Swingle Singers had no business making an album with an exalted jazz group like the MJQ.
~ Uncle Dave Lewis https://www.allmusic.com/album/place-vend%C3%B4me-mw0000521943


The Swingle Singers: Jeanette Baucomont – soprano; Christiane Legrand – soprano; Alice Herald – alto; Claudine Meunier – alto; Ward Swingle – tenor, arranger; Claude Germain – tenor; Jean Cussac – bass; José Germain – bass

The Modern Jazz Quartet: John Lewis – piano; Milt Jackson – vibraphone; Percy Heath – double bass; Connie Kay – drums

Place Vendome

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Clifford Brown - Memorial Album (Remastered)

Styles: Trumpet Jazz
Year: 1953/2001
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 71:12
Size: 165,1 MB
Art: Front

(4:14)  1. Bellarosa
(3:56)  2. Carvin' The Rock
(3:14)  3. Cookin'
(3:46)  4. Brownie Speaks
(4:51)  5. De-Dah
(4:19)  6. You Go To My Head
(3:51)  7. Carvin' The Rock (Alternate Take)
(3:08)  8. Cookin' (Alternate Take)
(4:05)  9. Carvin' The Rock (Alternate Take #2)
(4:02) 10. Wail Bait
(4:07) 11. Hymn Of The Orient
(3:56) 12. Brownie Eyes
(3:27) 13. Cherokee
(3:44) 14. Easy Living
(4:34) 15. Minor Mood
(4:07) 16. Wail Bait (Alternate Take)
(3:42) 17. Cherokee (Alternate Take)
(4:01) 18. Hymn Of The Orient (Alternate Take)

Clifford Brown emerged fully formed in 1953, a trumpeter gifted with an ebullient swing and technical skills that added polish and precision to fresh invention. Foregoing both the manic pyrotechnics of Dizzy Gillespie and the laconic introversion of Miles Davis, he also provided a stylistic model for jazz trumpeters that has never gone out of style. This CD combines Brown's first two recording dates as leader, placing him in quintet and sextet settings with some of the core musicians of the New York bop scene. The first nine tracks have Brown in an inspired quintet, prodded by the twisting, off-kilter solos and comping of the brilliant and underrated pianist Elmo Hope and the sparkling complexity of drummer Philly Joe Jones. While altoist Lou Donaldson is deeply in the sway of Charlie Parker, Brown sets his own course, whether it's the boppish "Cookin'" or the standard "You Go to My Head." 

The final nine tracks have Art Blakey's drums driving the sextet, while altoist Gigi Gryce's understated concentration acts as an effective foil to Brown's joyous, dancing lines. Taken at a medium up-tempo, "Cherokee" is one of Brown's most effective vehicles. The alternate takes from each session highlight Brown's spontaneous creativity, while Rudy Van Gelder's remastering adds fresh focus to both his gorgeous tone and the explosive drumming. ~ Stuart Broomer - Editorial Reviews https://www.amazon.com/Memorial-Album-Clifford-Brown/dp/B00005MIZ6

Personnel: Tracks 1-9: Clifford Brown - trumpet; Lou Donaldson - alto saxophone; Elmo Hope - piano; Percy Heath - bass; Philly Joe Jones - drums. Tracks 10-18: Clifford Brown - trumpet; John Lewis - piano; Gigi Gryce - alto saxophone, flute; Charlie Rouse - tenor saxophone; Percy Heath - bass; Art Blakey - drums

Memorial Album

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John Lewis - The Wonderful World Of Jazz

Styles: Piano Jazz
Year: 2005
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 55:12
Size: 126,6 MB
Art: Front

(15:24)  1. Body And Soul
( 4:48)  2. I Should Care
( 5:34)  3. Two Degrees East, Three Degrees West
( 9:54)  4. Afternoon In Paris
( 3:27)  5. I Remember Clifford
( 5:39)  6. The Stranger
(10:22)  7. If You Could See Me Now

This is one of pianist John Lewis' most rewarding albums outside of his work with the Modern Jazz Quartet. Three numbers (including a remake of "Two Degrees East, Three Degrees West") showcase his piano in a quartet with guitarist Jim Hall, bassist George Duvivier, and drummer Connie Kay. A 15-and-a-half-minute rendition of "Body and Soul" has one of tenor saxophonist Paul Gonsalves' finest solos, while "Afternoon in Paris" features a diverse cast with trumpeter Herb Pomeroy, Gunther Schuller on French horn, tenor man Benny Golson, baritonist Jimmy Giuffre, and guitarist Jim Hall; altoist Eric Dolphy cuts everyone. This set was reissued in 1988 as part of Atlantic's Jazzlore series. ~ Scott Yanow  

http://www.allmusic.com/album/the-wonderful-world-of-jazz-mw0000653899

The Wonderful World Of Jazz

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John Lewis & Helen Merrill - Django

Styles: Piano, Vocal
Year: 1976
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 41:05
Size: 94,3 MB
Art: Front

(5:14) 1. Django
(4:19) 2. I Didn't Know What Time It Was
(5:05) 3. Angel Eyes
(3:35) 4. Close Your Eyes
(2:53) 5. Alone Together
(4:53) 6. Yesterdays
(4:35) 7. The Singer
(5:15) 8. How Long Has This Been Going On?
(5:12) 9. Mad About the Boy

A wonderfully moody album from singer Helen Merrill recorded with backing by pianist John Lewis, in an overall feel that's got some of the styles that Lewis forged with the Modern Jazz Quartet! The tunes are familiar ones, mostly, but arranged in a style that's got wonderfully sad and somber touches really bringing out the best of the dark qualities in Merrill's vocals. Backing is by a quartet with Lewis, Richard Davis, Hubert Laws, and Connie Kay and titles include "Close Your Eyes", "I Didn't Know What Time It Was", "The Singer", "Yesterdays", "How Long Has This Been Going On", "Mad About The Boy", and "Django". © 1996-2020, Dusty Groove, Inc. https://www.dustygroove.com/item/468846/Helen-Merrill-John-Lewis:Helen-Merrill-John-Lewis-aka-Django

Personnel: Piano – John Lewis (2); Vocals – Helen Merrill; Bass – Richard Davis (2); Drums – Connie Kay; Flute – Hubert Laws

Django

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Sonny Stitt - Stitt Plays Bird

Styles: Saxophone Jazz
Year: 1964
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 44:39
Size: 104,5 MB
Art: Front

(3:16)  1. Now's the Time
(3:04)  2. My Little Suede Shoes
(4:18)  3. Parker's Mood
(3:15)  4. Constellation
(2:39)  5. Au Privave
(6:23)  6. Hootie Blues
(4:34)  7. Confirmation
(4:52)  8. Ko-Ko
(4:49)  9. Yardbird Suite
(3:46) 10. Scrapple from the Apple
(3:38) 11. Ornithology

Sonny Stitt forged his own approach to playing bebop out of the sound and style of Charlie Parker, so this tribute album was a very logical project. With fine support from guitarist Jim Hall, pianist John Lewis, bassist Richard Davis, and drummer Connie Kay, Stitt performs ten Parker compositions, plus Jay McShann's "Hootie Blues"; these renditions of "Now's the Time" and "Yardbird Suite" were previously unreleased. Stitt, who mastered bebop and could play hot licks in his sleep, is in top form on such numbers as "Constellation," "Confirmation," and "Ko-Ko," making this an essential item for straight-ahead jazz fans (although the prolific altoist would record eight other albums in 1963 alone). ~ Scott Yanow https://www.allmusic.com/album/stitt-plays-bird-mw0000195617

Personnel: Sonny Stitt – alto saxophone; John Lewis – piano; Jim Hall – guitar; Richard Davis – bass; Connie Kay – drums

Stitt Plays Bird

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The Modern Jazz Quartet - Blues At Carnegie Hall

Styles: Jazz, Bop, Cool 
Year: 2005
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 41:23
Size: 95,6 MB
Art: Front

(7:47)  1. Pyramid [Blues For Junior]
(4:56)  2. The Cylinder
(4:28)  3. Really True Blues
(5:39)  4. Ralph's New Blues
(4:09)  5. Monterey Mist
(3:56)  6. Home
(6:12)  7. Blues Milanese l
(4:13)  8. Bag's Groove

Blues at Carnegie Hall is a live Atlantic set from 1966, with the Modern Jazz Quartet performing eight blues-based compositions. In addition to such familiar pieces as the inevitable "Bags' Groove," "Ralph's New Blues" (dedicated to jazz critic Ralph Gleason), and "The Cylinder," there are a few newer pieces (including "Home," which is similar to Lee Morgan's hit "The Sidewinder") included for variety. This predictable but consistently swinging set is particularly recommended to fans of vibraphonist Milt Jackson. ~ Scott Yanow https://www.allmusic.com/album/blues-at-carnegie-hall-mw0000318716

Personnel: Milt Jackson - vibraphone; John Lewis - piano; Percy Heath - bass; Connie Kay - drums

Blues At Carnegie Hall

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Clifford Brown - New Star On The Horizon

Styles: Trumpet Jazz 
Year: 2014
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 23:32
Size: 55,0 MB
Art: Front

(3:25)  1. Cherokee
(3:42)  2. Easy Living
(3:59)  3. Wail Bait
(4:33)  4. Minor Mood
(4:05)  5. Hymn Of The Orient
(3:46)  6. Brownie Eyes

2015 reissue from Blue Note Records' 75th Anniversary Vinyl Initiative series. New Star On The Horizon compiles some of American jazz trumpeter Clifford Brown's best moments for Blue Note. Brown died in a car accident at the age of 25, leaving only four years of recorded material. Within his short career, he managed to influence many future jazz trumpeters, like Freddie Hubbard and Lee Morgan. New Star On The Horizon is a part of Blue Note's 10" reissue series. Originally released in 1953. https://www.forcedexposure.com/Catalog/brown-clifford-new-star-on-the-horizon-10-/BN.5032LP.html

Personnel:  Trumpet – Clifford Brown;  Alto Saxophone, Flute – Gigi Gryce ;  Bass – Percy Heath ;  Drums – Art Blakey ;  Piano – John Lewis ;  Tenor Saxophone – Charlie Rouse

New Star On The Horizon

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The Modern Jazz Quartet - Topsy: This One's For Basie

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 52:59
Size: 121.3 MB
Styles: Contemporary jazz
Year: 1985/2002
Art: Front

[4:09] 1. Reunion Blues
[5:03] 2. Nature Boy
[4:40] 3. Topsy Ii
[8:27] 4. D And E (Retake 1, Master)
[6:46] 5. Valeria
[5:51] 6. Milano
[8:16] 7. Le Cannet
[9:44] 8. D And E (Alternate Take)

Bass – Percy Heath; Drums – Connie Kay;Piano – John Lewis; Vibraphone – Milt Jackson. Recorded at RCA Recording Studios, New York City, June 3rd & 4th 1985.

Despite the title of this CD, the music on this 1985 studio set from The Modern Jazz Quartet is not a program of Count Basie tunes (with the exception of "Topsy") although Basie apparently liked the John Lewis composition "D and E." The other unrelated music is highlighted by an unaccompanied feature for vibraphonist Milt Jackson ("Nature Boy"), "Reunion Blues" and three more complex pieces from pianist John Lewis. Overall this CD gives listeners a fine example of the music of The MJQ during the 1980s. ~Scott Yanow

Topsy: This One's For Basie mc
Topsy: This One's For Basie zippy

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John Lewis And Hank Jones - An Evening With Two Grand Pianos

Styles: Piano Jazz
Year: 1979
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 44:24
Size: 102,0 MB
Art: Front

(5:07)  1. Stompin' At The Savoy
(6:17)  2. Saint Louis Blues
(5:05)  3. Confirmation
(5:31)  4. Tears From The Children
(5:13)  5. Willow Weep For Me
(5:31)  6. Billie's Bounce
(6:04)  7. Odds Against Tomorrow
(5:31)  8. I'll Remember April

This album is an unlikely success. On a set of piano duets by Hank Jones and John Lewis, there is plenty of swing, a liberal dose of good humor and surprisingly uncrowded ensembles. Highpoints of the eight spirited performances include "Stompin' at the Savoy," "Confirmation," "Billie's Bounce" and "I'll Remember April." ~ Scott Yanow http://www.allmusic.com/album/evening-with-two-grand-pianos-mw0000773733

Personnel: John Lewis (piano); Hank Jones (piano, grand piano); John Richard Lewis (grand piano).

An Evening With Two Grand Pianos

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John Lewis - Grand Encounter: 2 Degrees East-3 Degrees West

Styles: Piano Jazz
Year: 1956
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 35:10
Size: 83,2 MB
Art: Front

(8:23)  1. Love Me Or Leave Me
(3:36)  2. I Can't Get Started
(4:19)  3. Easy Living
(6:12)  4. 2 Degrees East - 3 Degrees West
(3:10)  5. Skylark
(9:28)  6. Almost Like Being In Love

Also reissued as 2 Degrees East, 3 Degrees West and occasionally listed under tenor saxophonist Bill Perkins' name, this classic session is the ultimate in cool jazz. Perkins' mellow tone matches quite well with the quiet but inwardly passionate playing of pianist John Lewis, guitarist Jim Hall, bassist Percy Heath, and drummer Chico Hamilton. Lewis is featured with the rhythm section on "I Can't Get Started," Hall is added for "Skylark," and the full group plays three standards plus Lewis' memorable (and atmospheric) "2 Degrees East, 3 Degrees West."~ Scott Yanow http://www.allmusic.com/album/grand-encounter-2-degrees-east-3-degrees-west-mw0000194407

Personnel:  John Lewis – piano;  Bill Perkins - tenor saxophone;  Jim Hall – guitar;  Percy Heath – bass;  Chico Hamilton - drums

Grand Encounter: 2 Degrees East-3 Degrees West

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John Lewis & Sacha Distel - Afternoon In Paris

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 43:10
Size: 98.8 MB
Styles: Bop, Piano jazz
Year: 1958/2006
Art: Front

[6:51] 1. I Cover The Waterfront
[6:04] 2. Dear Old Stockholm
[9:20] 3. Afternoon In Paris
[5:13] 4. All The Things You Are
[6:09] 5. Bags' Groove
[9:31] 6. Willow Weep For Me

It was in Paris that John Lewis co-led this 1956 date with Sacha Distel, a French guitarist who never became well-known in the U.S. but commanded a lot of respect in French jazz circles. The same can be said about the other French players employed on Afternoon in Paris -- neither tenor saxophonist Barney Wilen nor bassist Pierre Michelot were huge names in the U.S., although both were well-known in European jazz circles. With Lewis on piano, Distel on guitar, Wilen on tenor, Michelot or Percy Heath on bass, and Kenny Clarke or Connie Kay on drums, the part-American, part-French group of improvisers provides an above-average bop album that ranges from "Willow Weep for Me," "All The Things You Are," and "I Cover the Waterfront" to Milt Jackson's "Bags' Groove" and Lewis' title song. The big-toned Wilen was only 19 when Afternoon in Paris was recorded, but as his lyrical yet hard-swinging solos demonstrate, he matured quickly as a saxman. It should be noted that all of the Americans on this album had been members of the Modern Jazz Quartet; the only MJQ member who isn't on board is vibist Jackson. ~Alex Henderson

Afternoon In Paris

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The Modern Jazz Quartet - The Last Concert

Styles: Cool Jazz, Bop
Year: 2011
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 91:19
Size: 210,5 MB
Art: Front

(6:29)  1. Softly, As in a Morning Sunrise
(5:31)  2. The Cylinder
(7:53)  3. Summertime
(5:42)  4. Trav'lin'
(7:50)  5. Blues in A Minor
(7:29)  6. One Never Knows
(6:45)  7. Bag's Groove
(4:56)  8. Confirmation
(7:38)  9. 'Round Midnight
(5:24) 10. A Night in Tunisia
(5:30) 11. The Golden Striker
(6:37) 12. Skating in Central Park
(6:16) 13. Django
(7:14) 14. What's New?

Not really the last concert ever from the Modern Jazz Quartet but a set that seemed so at the time, given that the group went their separate ways for a number of years! The record's got the combo in really top form very much back to the basics of their early time on Atlantic Records, with a sublime focus on that unique sound that no other group like this could match. 

Milt Jackson's vibes are chromatically aligned in this amazing way with the piano of John Lewis and somehow the live recording seems to bring out even more tones in the bass of Percy Heath, who feels an even stronger presence here than usual. Connie Kay's work on drums are a masterpiece of percussive understatement and titles include "Softly As In A Morning Sunrise", "Summertime", "The Cylinder", "Blues In A Minor", and "One Never Knows". © 1996-2016, Dusty Groove, Inc. https://www.dustygroove.com/item/550655

Personnel:  Bass – Percy Heath;  Drums – Connie Kay;  Piano – John Lewis ;  Vibraphone – Milt Jackson

The Last Concert

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Charlie Parker And His Orchestra - Swedish Schnapps

Styles: Saxophone Jazz

Year: 1951

File: MP3@320K/s

Time: 52:31

Size: 126,6 MB

Art: Front

(2:40)  1. Si Si

(3:17)  2. Swedish Schnapps (alternate take)

(3:13)  3. Swedish Schnapps

(2:39)  4. Back Home Blues (alternate take)

(2:50)  5. Back Home Blues

(3:26)  6. Lover Man

(2:49)  7. Blues For Alice

(2:41)  8. Au Privave (alternate take)

(2:45)  9. Au Privave

(3:12) 10. She Rote (alternate take)

(3:08) 11. She Rote

(3:27) 12. K. C. Blues

(3:42) 13. Star Eyes

(3:22) 14. Segment

(3:18) 15. Diverse

(2:57) 16. Passport (rare)

(2:59) 17. Passport (common)

Musicians like to observe that for all his notoriety as the wellspring of bebop, Charlie "Bird" Parker's music was loaded with the blues. Swedish Schnapps is as good a place as any to make that connection with Parker's music, including as it does two of his most enduring bop heads based on the blues, "Au Privave" and "Blues For Alice." While you wouldn't mistake either composition for a Muddy Waters tune, both relate Bird's off-kilter accents and serpentine melodicism at walking tempos that let you hear what's actually going by, instead of leaving you astonished but bemused. To really drive the point home, there's "K.C. Blues," which finds the altoist at his hollerin' best, and "Lover Man," certainly one of the bluesiest 32-bar standards around. http://www.allmusic.com/album/swedish-schnapps-mw0000265091

Personnel: Charlie Parker (alto saxophone); Kenny Dorham, Miles Davis, Red Rodney (trumpet); Al Haig, John Lewis, Walter Bishop (piano); Ray Brown, Teddy Kotick, Tommy Potter (bass); Max Roach, Kenny Clarke (drums).

Swedish Schnapps

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Dizzy Gillespie - Groovin' High

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 36:46
Size: 84.2 MB
Styles: Bop
Year: 2009
Art: Front

[2:55] 1. Blue 'n' Boogie
[2:40] 2. Groovin' High
[2:46] 3. Dizzy Atmosphere
[2:47] 4. All The Things You Are
[3:12] 5. Salt Peanuts
[3:09] 6. Hot House
[3:00] 7. Oop Bop Sh'bam
[2:41] 8. That's Earl, Brother
[2:27] 9. Our Delight
[2:52] 10. One Bass Hit, No. 2
[2:44] 11. Things To Come
[2:20] 12. Ray's Idea
[3:06] 13. Emanon

Bass – Curly Russell, Ray Brown, Slam Stewart; Drums – Cozy Cole, Kenny Clarke, Shelly Manne, Sid Catlett; Guitar – Chuck Wayne, Remo Palmieri; Piano – Al Haig, Clyde Hart, Frank Paparelli, John Lewis; Saxophone – Charlie Parker, Dexter Gordon, James Moody, Sonny Stitt; Trumpet – Dizzy Gillespie; Vibraphone – Milt Jackson.

Dizzy Gillespie took a sextet into the studio on February 9, 1945, and recorded two new compositions, “Groovin’ High,” a medium tempo tune based on the chord changes of “Whispering” (written in 1920), and “Blue ‘N’ Boogie.” In his book Dizzy: The Life and Times of John Birks Gillespie, Donald L. Maggin says, “Dizzy created a complex arrangement for ‘Groovin’ High,’ which became one of his most enduring hits; it encompasses a six-bar introduction, three key changes, transition passages between solos, and a half-speed coda as it demonstrates his skill in fashioning interesting textures using only six instruments.”

Groovin' High

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Modern Jazz Quartet - Modern Jazz Quartet

Styles: Jazz, Bop, Cool
Year: 1952
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 35:55
Size: 82,9 MB
Art: Front

(3:29)  1. Softly, As In A Morning Sunrise
(3:38)  2. Love Me Pretty Baby
(2:57)  3. Autumn Breeze
(3:08)  4. Milt Meets Sid
(3:15)  5. Moving Nicely
(2:56)  6. D. & E.
(2:31)  7. Heart And Soul
(3:01)  8. True Blues
(2:48)  9. Bluesology
(2:34) 10. Yesterdays
(2:58) 11. Round About Midnight
(2:34) 12. Between The Devil And The Deep Blue Sea

This album is certain to be placed in the MJQ section of any shop that carries it. In reality though, only four of the cuts here feature the permanent, stand-alone, 1952-vintage Modern Jazz Quartet; the other eight having been done in the summer and fall of 1951, when they were still known as the Milt Jackson Quartet, with Jackson providing all of the original material. The differences are so subtle as to be indistinguishable Milt Jackson and John Lewis are on every cut, while Al Johns subs for Kenny Clarke on drums, and Ray Brown precedes Percy Heath on four of the tracks. Clarke's drumming is more impressive in its quiet way, but Ray Brown's bass work is simpler and more forceful. The sound is fair, with some hints of distortion that's been repaired, on this otherwise nicely done reissue. [The 2003 reissue on Savoy Jazz changed the title of the original album to Beginnings and added two bonus tracks: a 1949 version of "Bluesology" by Milt Jackson, and a large group featuring Billy Mitchell on sax and Roy Haynes on drums, and a 1954 version of "Blues Mood" by Kenny Clarke with Milt Jackson and Percy Heath.] ~ Bruce Eder  http://www.allmusic.com/album/modern-jazz-quartet-1952-mw0001964305

Personnel:  Bass – Percy Heath;  Drums – Kenny Clarke;  Piano – John Lewis (2);  Vibraphone [Vibra-harp] – Milt Jackson

Modern Jazz Quartet

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The Modern Jazz Quartet - Concorde

Styles: Cool Jazz
Year: 1955
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 36:33
Size: 83,9 MB
Art: Front

(7:11)  1. Ralph's New Blues
(4:31)  2. All of You
(5:10)  3. I'll Remember April
(7:59)  4. Gershwin Medley
(7:58)  5. Softly, as in a Morning Sunrise
(3:41)  6. Concorde

After issuing 10" EPs for several years, Concorde (1955) marked two significant touchstones in the five-plus-decade career of the Modern Jazz Quartet (MJQ). One of those was the replacement of co-founder Kenny Clarke (drums) with former Lester Young quintet member Connie Kay (drums), who joined in time for the other hallmark -- this, the MJQ's very first full-length long-player. Kay remained with the combo for the better part of four decades, until his passing in 1994. The transition between percussionists is both smooth as well as sensible. Kay's understated rhythms and solid timekeeping are perfectly suited to the clever arrangements and sophisticated sound of Milt Jackson (vibraphone), John Lewis (piano) and Percy Heath (bass). 

One MJQ constant is the blend of classic covers and stunning original compositions that comprise their releases. Concorde is certainly no exception as the effort kicks off with a mid-tempo Jackson's "Ralph's New Blues." Immediately, Kay's contributions are ample yet discrete, as he interacts with a consistent backbeat, supporting the tasty vibe runs and improvisations from the tune's author. The title track "Concorde" is the other tune to be derived from within the band. Lewis' effervescent syncopation drives through the heart of the melody, with the pianist laying down essential interplay. Once again Kay impresses with well-placed ringing interjections that never overpower the soloist.

Most notable among the reworked popular standards are the slightly brooding opulence of Cole Porter's "All of You" and the fugal, if not slightly Third Stream approach taken on "Softly, As in a Morning Sunrise" from the short-lived collaborations of Sigmund Romberg and Oscar Hammerstein II. However, the centerpiece is undoubtedly the four selections within the "Gershwin Medley." The interpretations of "Soon," "For You, For Me Forevermore," "Love Walked In" and "Our Love Is Here to Stay" are nothing short of definitive. They collectively provide keen insight into the inner-workings of the MJQ and their collective abilities to improvise with purpose, rather than simply combining aimless solos. All manner of post-bop jazz listeners will find much to enjoy throughout Concorde. ~ Lindsay Planer  http://www.allmusic.com/album/concorde-mw0000192242

The Modern Jazz Quartet: John Lewis (piano); Milt Jackson (vibraphone); Percy Heath (bass); Connie Kay (drums).

Concorde

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