Modern Jazz Quartet - Django

Modern Jazz Quartet - Django

John Lewis - Piano
Milt Jackson - Vibraphone
Percy Heath - Bass
Kenny Clark - Drums

1. Django
2. One Bass Hit
3. La Ronde Suite
4. The Queen's Fancy
5. Delaunay's Dilemma
6. Autumn in New York
7. But Not For Me
8. Milano

Django is the only MJQ c.d. that I own, but I do possess a nice record of them play with Jimmy Giuffre. Django seemed like a good place to start with the quartet even though Connie Kay is not behind the kit on this recording. I think you either like the Modern Jazz Quartet or you don't. I really enjoy the tunes they perform, and I like their performance attitude. The MJQ were strongly into a sub-genre of jazz known as third stream. Third stream was the attempt for jazz artists to try to blur distinctions between classical and jazz music. The quartet thought of themselves as a chamber ensemble, and they would always perform in tuxedoes. Most of their performances were played in concert halls rather than in night clubs. Their compositions tend to have a solid structure. The improvisations show much gentle restraint that was typical of the then popular cool jazz style. I like how many of the pieces incorporate fugues and counterpoint behind solos.

My favorite tracks on this album are "Django," "La Ronde," "Queen's Fancy," and "Autumn in New York." "Django" is a wonderful John Lewis tune. The song has a very melancholy sensation; it is a good soundtrack for a gloomy day. I think this description also fits for "Autumn in New York." "Autumn has this wonderful moment where the vibes play these quarter notes and it creates almost a drone. The bass also is participating in the drone, and the piano comes in with its descending melody. This works very well, and I can't explain it very well, so it would be best to listen to it yourself.

I wouldn't necessarily reccomend this album to anyone. If you strongly enjoy classical chamber music, and you want to get into jazz, this is a pretty good album to get. I really enjoy this album, but I don't know if it is an essential purchase. I'm going to give it 4/5 stars.