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Modern Jazz Quartet

From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Artist

The Modern Jazz Quartet, MJQ for short, was founded in 1952. The group consisted of the pianist John Lewis, the vibraphonist Milt Jackson, the bassist Percy Heath and usually the drummer Kenny Clarke, later Connie Kay. They emerged from the rhythm section of Dizzy Gillespie's big band, where they played as a quartet during the intervals. Lewis became the musical director. In the first half of the 1950s they made records for Prestige, including the first versions of their two best-known compositions: Django by Lewis and Bags' Groove by Jackson. In 1956 the group moved to Atlantic and toured Europe for the first time.

Music and breakthrough

Under Lewis's leadership they chose a path of their own: elegant, restrained music with ingenious Baroque counterpoint, but with a strong blues feeling. They were one of the first small jazz groups to perform in concert halls instead of nightclubs, and were known for their neat presentation. The quartet remained active until 1974, when Jackson left out of irritation over money and travel schedules, got together again in 1981 and continued until 1997. Albums such as Concorde (1955), Django (1956) and Fontessa (1956) belong to the early years.

Influence

The MJQ combined classical music, Cool Jazz, blues and bebop. Through their controlled sound and their sense of form they showed that jazz could also sound like chamber music, without losing its swing.

Listening

Listening tip. Listen to Django and notice how vibraphone and piano pass melodies to each other, while bass and drums calmly keep the tempo. Can you hear the classical form, and the blues as well?

Discography

Studio albums

In School of Rock

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Mentioned in other articles

See also

Categories: ArtistsThird stream