Live

This DVD set includes three exclusive live performances:
• From the Palais des Beaux-Arts, Brussels,1961
• 35th Anniversary Concert from Music Festival Freiburg, 1987
• 40th Anniversary Concert from Jazz Gipfel Stuttgart, 1992

The Modern Jazz Quartet was established in 1952 and played music influenced by classical, cool jazz, blues and bebop. Under John Lewis's direction, they formed their own niche by specialising in elegant, restrained music. Famous for their elegant presentation, they were one of the first small jazz combos to perform in concert halls rather than nightclubs. Lewis’s interest in classical music and baroque forms led him to compose fugues for the MJQ. Alexander's Fugue is a great example of these compositions included in this set. The Modern Jazz Quartet is famous for its eloquent interpretation of the piece Django, which is included in this DVD set, written by John Lewis, and dedicated to Django Reinhardt. The Guardian named it “one of the 50 great moments in jazz.” The Modern Jazz Quartet earned a variety of honours, including the first NAACP award for cultural contributions in the field of music in 1957.

John Lewis (piano) ∙ Milt Jackson (vibraphone) ∙ Percy Heath (bass) ∙ Connie Kay (drums)