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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The Modern Jazz Quartet - Beginnings

Styles: Jazz, Hard Bop
Year: 2003
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 43:04
Size: 100,4 MB
Art: Front

(3:29)  1. Softly As In A Morning Sunrise
(3:39)  2. Love Me, Pretty Baby
(2:57)  3. Autumn Breeze
(3:08)  4. Milt Meets Sid
(3:16)  5. Moving Nicely
(2:56)  6. D & E
(2:31)  7. Heart And Soul
(3:02)  8. True Blues
(2:47)  9. Bluesology
(2:31) 10. Yesterdays
(2:57) 11. 'Round About Midnight
(2:37) 12. Between The Devil And The Deep Blue Sea
(2:48) 13. Bluesology
(4:20) 14. Blues Mood

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 https://www.allmusic.com/album/release/beginnings-mr0000319628

Beginnings

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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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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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The Modern Jazz Quartet - The Artistry Of The Modern Jazz Quartet

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 63:41
Size: 145.8 MB
Styles: Bop
Year: 1986
Art: Front

[3:06] 1. La Ronde
[2:12] 2. Rose Of The Rio Grande
[3:11] 3. The Queen's Fantasy
[3:56] 4. Delauney's Dilemna
[3:17] 5. In A Sentimental Mood
[2:56] 6. The Stopper
[3:22] 7. Almost Like Being In Love
[3:29] 8. No Moe
[7:01] 9. Django
[2:58] 10. One Bass Hit
[4:21] 11. Milano
[7:07] 12. Ralph's New Blues
[5:05] 13. I'll Remember April
[3:37] 14. Concorde
[7:56] 15. Softly As In A Morning Sunrise

Spanning one of the few transitional periods for the Modern Jazz Quartet when Connie Kay replaced Kenny Clarke as the group's drummer, The Artistry of the Modern Jazz Quartet covers the years from 1952-1955. By this point in the group's career, John Lewis was largely overseeing the quartet's repertoire, penning the bulk of the original material. Indeed, on The Artistry Of, the pianist contributes six compositions to Milt Jackson's one (the excellent "Ralph's New Blues"). The set is balanced out by renditions of the most common of jazz standards in "Almost Like Falling in Love," "I'll Remember April," and "In a Sentimental Mood," and the work of more contemporary artists like Dizzy Gillespie and Sonny Rollins. Though the chops of each member are undeniable, the performances are, for the most part, rather reserved, placing technique and group coordination above strong emotion. Lewis' "La Ronde" was an early favorite, and it's easy to see why. Here the all-rhythm lineup is completely locked in, particularly the drums and vibes, and the head packs a punch lacking on much of the material. Jackson balances restraint and umph! on a memorable solo while Lewis responds with excellent bopisms on piano. Two songs later, however, the group are strolling through the awkward "The Queen's Fancy," a composition whose overly sentimental melody line, complete with regal undertones, has faired less well over time. More impressive are readings of "Rose of the Rio Grande" and Lewis' "Delaunay's Dilemma." In 1951, the MJQ had backed Sonny Rollins on a Prestige date, and The Artistry Of finds the saxophonist repaying the favor, lending prime solos to a handful of cuts including his own "The Stopper" and "No Moe." In the end, this album is a fine introduction to the sound and sensibility of the MJQ. ~Nathan Bush

The Artistry Of The Modern Jazz Quartet

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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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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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Modern Jazz Quartet - Django

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 38:23
Size: 87.9 MB
Styles: Post bop
Year: 1955/1987/2014
Art: Front

[7:01] 1. Django
[2:58] 2. One Bass Hit
[9:34] 3. M. La Ronde Suite
[3:11] 4. The Queen's Fancy
[3:56] 5. Delaunay's Dilemma
[3:38] 6. Autumn In New York
[3:42] 7. But Not For Me
[4:20] 8. Milano

Hailing from a trio of Modern Jazz Quartet (MJQ) sessions, Django (1955) contains some of the earliest sides that Milt Jackson (vibraphone), John Lewis (piano), Percy Heath (bass) and Kenny Clarke (drums) recorded for Prestige Records. Initially, the combo was part of Dizzy Gillespie's influential backing band and after a change in drummers (to Connie Kay), they continued as one of the more sophisticated aggregates of the post-bop era. The album commences with Lewis' sublime and serene title track "Django," dedicated to the memory of guitarist extraordinaire Django Reinhardt. This musical paean aptly recaptures the essence of Reinhardt's enigmatic gypsy-like nature, especially evident within Jackson's leads, which emerge from the thoughtful opening dirge with a refined, warm tone throughout. Reinhardt's playfulness is recalled in Lewis' well-placed interjections between and beneath Jackson's lines. "One Bass Hit" is an homage to Gillespie with Heath taking charge of the intricate melody, showing off his often criminally underutilized skills. From the same December 1954 gathering comes the moody Lewis-penned ballad "Milano." There is a notable Mediterranean feel resounding in the opulence of MJQ's unassuming interaction. The centerpiece is the lengthy four-movement showcase "La Ronde Suite" circa January of 1955. The MJQ maneuver with unquestionable grace, alternately supporting and soloing, each taking the reigns as the others construct their contributions around the respective soloist. The remaining four selections date back to June of 1953 and are highlighted by "The Queen's Fancy," a simple and refined fugue that carries a distinct air of nobility. "Delaunay's Dilemma" is a definite contrast as it allows the players to cut loose with some frisky and fun exchanges that perfectly demonstrate their ability to glide through the sinuous syncopation. Both the understated splendor of "Autumn in New York" and the equally sublime cover of "But Not for Me" provide some familiar backdrops for the MJQ to collaborate and perhaps more directly display their essential improvisational abilities. In terms of seminal Modern Jazz Quartet entries, it is hard to exceed the variety of styles and performances gathered on Django. ~Lindsay Planer

Django

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Modern Jazz Quartet - Autumn

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 32:15
Size: 73.8 MB
Styles: Bop
Year: 2009
Art: Front

[3:25] 1. Softly As In A Morning Sunrise
[2:59] 2. True Blues
[3:05] 3. Milt Meets Sid
[2:29] 4. Yesterday
[2:54] 5. Autumn Breeze
[2:44] 6. Bluesology
[2:55] 7. You Go To My Head
[2:31] 8. Junior
[4:50] 9. Sonor
[4:19] 10. Blues Mood

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. ~bio by Scott Yanow

Autumn

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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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