I don't know that particular track but I do have memories of the MJQ. They were all experienced beboppers (the original drummer was Kenny Clarke, soon replaced by Connie Kay) brought together by the pianist-composer-arranger John Lewis, who as I recall had the idea of making the group "serious," like a classical string quartet; they always dressed very soberly, Lewis wrote ambitious suites of linked movements, and there was a determined effort to break out of the ghettoized condition that jazz had been stuck in. I found Lewis' musical ideas to be the group's major weakness: his taste was for delicacy, restraint, Baroque-style counterpoint, all of which I thought were in conflict with the freer, more blues-y style of the group's most exciting member, Milt Jackson, who can be heard to better advantage (in my opinion) on recordings with Miles Davis, Sonny Rollins et al.
I honestly don't know much about the modern jazz quartet. i have a vague feeling Miles Davis said some nasty things about them, but who didn't Davis say nasty things about?
True. But he recorded with Jackson and Clarke, and while he might not have liked Lewis' super-"respectable" presentation, he was an admirer of Ahmad Jamal whose piano style was if anything more delicate than Lewis'.
All four were pioneers of the bebop era, played with Diz, Bird, etc. Milt Jackson, the vibist, was probably the most important when the formed the MJQ. Percy Heath, the bassist is one of the Heath Brothers, along with Jimmy and Albert all important boppers. Connie Kay the drummer was probably just important for his role in the MJQ. John Lewis, music director and pianist was always trying to move toward more traditional European forms while Jackson was steeped in the blues. They were together a long time,then went through a period of break ups and reunions that got a little funny. Music is pretty if not a little too cerebral and conservative. That being said, some of the stuff, "Skating in Central Park" "The Golden Striker" "Bags Groove" would have to be considered classic. Amazing the shit I know.
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Milt Jackson, the vibist, was probably the most important when the
formed the MJQ. Percy Heath, the bassist is one of the Heath Brothers,
along with Jimmy and Albert all important boppers. Connie Kay the
drummer was probably just important for his role in the MJQ. John Lewis,
music director and pianist was always trying to move toward more
traditional European forms while Jackson was steeped in the blues. They
were together a long time,then went through a period of break ups and
reunions that got a little funny.
Music is pretty if not a little too cerebral and conservative. That
being said, some of the stuff, "Skating in Central Park" "The Golden
Striker" "Bags Groove" would have to be considered classic.
Amazing the shit I know.
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