Art of the Modern Jazz Quartet

Personnel: Joe Tekula (cello); Jimmy Giuffre (clarinet); Phil Woods, Charlie Mariano (alto saxophone); Seldon Powell, Sonny Rollins (tenor saxophone); Wally Kane (baritone saxophone); Clark Terry, Ernie Royal, Snooky Young, Bernie Glow (trumpet); Jimmy Cleveland, Kai Winding, Tony Studd (trombone); John Lewis, John G. Lewis (piano); Milt Jackson (vibraphone); Percy Heath (bass instrument); Connie Kay (drums).
Recording information: Carnegie Hall, New York, NY; Goteborg, Sweden; Music Inn, Lenox, MA; RCA Webster Hall, New York, NY; Suddeutscher Rundfunk, New Villa Berg, Stuttgart, Germa.
Originally released in 1973, THE ART OF THE MODERN JAZZ QUARTET: THE ATLANTIC YEARS is a two-LP compilation set that neatly covers the nearly two-decade run that the MJQ had on Atlantic Records, the label they helped to establish as a premier jazz house from the mid-'50s on. With swinging, contrapuntal cuts such as "The Cylinder," "Condorde," and "The Golden Striker," leader John Lewis's original Bach-and-blues conception is well-represented here. Of course, he couldn't have done it without the sheer improvisational genius of vibraphonist Milton Jackson nor the precisely calibrated accompaniment of bassist Percy Heath and, especially, drummer Connie Kay, one of the most underrated players in the history of the music. Other highlights are "Django," Lewis's mournful tribute to the great Belgian guitarist, and a forward-looking version of Ornette Coleman's "Lonely Woman."