"The Modern Jazz Quartet" redirects here. For the group's 1957 album, see The Modern Jazz Quartet (album).
Modern Jazz Quartet
Modern Jazz Quartet in 1964 Left to right: Heath, Kay, Jackson, Lewis
Background information
Also known as
The Quartet, The MJQ
Genres
Jazz
Years active
1952–1997
Labels
Prestige (UK Esquire), Atlantic (UK London), Apple, Douglas
Past members
Kenny Clarke
Milt Jackson
John Lewis
Percy Heath
Connie Kay
Mickey Roker
Albert Heath
The Modern Jazz Quartet (MJQ) was a jazz combo established in 1952 that played music influenced by classical, cool jazz, blues and bebop. The Quartet consisted of John Lewis (piano), Milt Jackson (vibraphone), Percy Heath (double bass), and various drummers, most notably Kenny Clarke (from 1952 to 1955) and Connie Kay (from 1955 to 1994). The group grew out of the rhythm section of Dizzy Gillespie's big band from 1946 to 1948, which consisted of Lewis, Jackson, and Clarke along with bassist Ray Brown. They recorded as the Milt Jackson Quartet in 1951 and Brown left the group, being replaced on bass by Heath. During the early-to-mid-1950s they became the Modern Jazz Quartet, Lewis became the group's musical director, and they made several recordings with Prestige Records, including the original versions of their two best-known compositions, Lewis's "Django" and Jackson's "Bags' Groove". Clarke left the group in 1955 and was replaced as drummer by Kay, and in 1956 they moved to Atlantic Records and made their first tour to Europe.
Under Lewis's direction, they carved their own niche by specializing in elegant, restrained music that used sophisticated counterpoint inspired by baroque music, yet nonetheless retained a strong blues feel. Noted for their elegant presentation, they were one of the first small jazz combos to perform in concert halls rather than nightclubs. They were initially active into the 1970s until Jackson quit in 1974 due to frustration with their finances and touring schedule, but re-formed in 1981. They made their last released recordings in 1992 and 1993, by which time Kay had been having health issues and Mickey Roker had been his replacement drummer while Kay was unavailable. After Kay's death in 1994, the group operated on a semi-active basis, with Percy Heath's brother Albert Heath on drums until the group disbanded permanently in 1997.
and 17 Related for: Modern Jazz Quartet information
The ModernJazzQuartet (MJQ) was a jazz combo established in 1952 that played music influenced by classical, cool jazz, blues and bebop. The Quartet consisted...
Sonny Rollins with the ModernJazzQuartet (also released as Sonny & the Stars) is a 1956 compilation album by jazz saxophonist Sonny Rollins, featuring...
recordings that constitute Birth of the Cool; the complete works of the ModernJazzQuartet; the output of Gerry Mulligan, especially his work with Chet Baker...
was an American jazz vibraphonist. He is especially remembered for his cool swinging solos as a member of the ModernJazzQuartet and his penchant for...
whom he formed the Heath Brothers in 1975. Heath played with the ModernJazzQuartet throughout their long history and also worked with Miles Davis, Dizzy...
The ModernJazzQuartet Plays No Sun in Venice (originally titled The ModernJazzQuartet Plays One Never Knows: Original Film Score for "No Sun in Venice")...
The ModernJazzQuartet at Music Inn Volume 2 is a live album by American jazz group the ModernJazzQuartet featuring performances recorded at the Music...
professionally as Connie Kay, was an American jazz and R&B drummer, who was a member of the ModernJazzQuartet. Self-taught on drums, Kay began performing...
Jimmy Rushing, ModernJazzQuartet, Ornette Coleman Quintet, Montgomery Brothers Quartet. 1961 Dave Brubeck Quartet, John Coltrane Quartet with Eric Dolphy...
The Turtle Island Quartet is a string quartet that plays hybrids of jazz, classical, and rock music. The group was formed in 1985 by David Balakrishnan...
with the poet Allen Ginsberg, Astor Piazzolla, The National, the ModernJazzQuartet, Tom Waits, David Bowie, Paul McCartney and Björk, and has recorded...
Suzanne Severini. In this the "CJQ" followed in the footsteps of the ModernJazzQuartet (MJQ, 1952–1997, using the same instrumentation), and the Jacques...
The ModernJazzQuartet and the Oscar Peterson Trio at the Opera House is a live album by American jazz group the ModernJazzQuartet and the Oscar Peterson...
musicians, including Herbie Mann, Stan Getz, Sonny Rollins and the ModernJazzQuartet. In the same period he married (1956–1963) singer/actress Diahann...
2-300 Jazz Series SD-2-300 – The Evolution of Mann – Herbie Mann [1973] (2-LP set) SD-2-301 – The Art of the ModernJazzQuartet – ModernJazzQuartet [1973]...