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The Modern Jazz Quartet (MJQ) was a jazz combo established in 1952 that played music influenced by classical, cool jazz, blues and bebop. For most of its history the Quartet consisted of John Lewis (piano), Milt Jackson (vibraphone), Percy Heath (double bass), and Connie Kay (drums). The group grew out of the rhythm section of Dizzy Gillespie's big band from 1946 to 1948, which consisted of Lewis and Jackson along with bassist Ray Brown and drummer Kenny Clarke. 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 Connie 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.
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Albums by The Modern Jazz QuartetSort:By AlbumA - Z
Four Classic Albums: European Concert, Vols. 1 & 2/Third Stream Music/Lonely Woman [2016]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
'Round Midnight [European Concert, Vols. 1 & 2] | |
I'll Remember April [European Concert, Vols. 1 & 2] |
Germany 1959-1958 [2016]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
I'll Remember April | 4:12 |
Atlantic Jazz Legends [2014]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing) | 5:02 |
How High the Moon | 6:17 |
Django [Blue Playa] [2014]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing) | 5:04 |
How High the Moon | 6:17 |
How High the Moon [2014]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
How High the Moon | 7:52 |
Round Midnight | 4:07 |
It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing) | 5:03 |
Prestige Rudy Van Gelder Remasters [2014]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
But Not For Me | 3:46 |
'Round Midnight [2013]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
How High the Moon | 5:38 |
'Round Midnight | 4:04 |
I'll Remember April | 5:23 |
Jazz Icons from the Golden Era: Sonny Rollins [2013]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
This Love of Mine | 2:22 |
Lost Tapes: Germany 1956-1958 [2013]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
I'll Remember April | 4:12 |
The Golden Age: Complete Atlantic Recordings 1956-1960 [2013]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
Over the Rainbow | 3:51 |
Fun | 5:36 |
Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea | 6:55 |
It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing) | 5:04 |
How High the Moon | 6:17 |
Jazz Plays Gershwin [2012]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
But Not For Me | 3:47 |
Late Night Jazz [AP] [2012]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea | 6:56 |
Plays For Lovers [2012]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
I'll Remember April | |
But Not For Me | |
Over the Rainbow | |
Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea |
The Greatest Jazz Orchestrations, Vol. 1 [2012]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
I'll Remember April | 5:10 |
The Very Best of Sonny Rollins [Prestige] [2012]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
In a Sentimental Mood | 3:21 |
A Portrait of Sonny Rollins [2011]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
Almost Like Being in Love | 3:21 |
In a Sentimental Mood | 3:17 |
Time On My Hands | 2:39 |
This Love of Mine | 2:22 |
Eight Classic Albums [2011]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
Time on My Hands | 2:39 |
In a Sentimental Mood | 3:17 |
Almost Like Being in Love | 3:22 |
You Are Too Beautiful | 3:49 |
Lady Be Good | 5:23 |
The Nearness of You | 5:36 |
Danny Boy | 4:35 |
Cotton Tail | 5:38 |
But Not for Me | 3:44 |
I'll Remember April | 4:27 |
Over the Rainbow | 3:51 |
It Don't Mean a Thing | 5:02 |
How High the Moon | 6:16 |
Jazz at the Philharmonic: Seattle 1956 [2011]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
The Nearness of You | 2:52 |
The Complete Atlantic Studio Recodings Of The Modern Jazz Quartet 1956-64 [2011]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
Over The Rainbow | 3:54 |
Fun | 5:33 |
Between The Devil And The Deep Blue Sea | 6:53 |
It Don't Mean A Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing) | 5:04 |
How High the Moon | 6:15 |
Under the Jasmin Tree/Space [2010]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
Here's That Rainy Day (Carnival of Flanders) | 4:20 |
Jazz Collectors, Vol. 2 [Music Brokers] [2009]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
How High the Moon | 5:50 |
Savoy Jazz Super [2009]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
'Round Midnight | 2:57 |
The Music of the MJQ [2009]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
But Not for Me | 3:46 |
A Morning in Paris [2008]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
I'll Remember April | 5:07 |
Anthology 1952-1956 [2008]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
But Not for Me | 3:47 |
In a Sentimental Mood | 3:20 |
Almost Like Being in Love | 3:25 |
I'll Remember April | 5:08 |
Over the Rainbow | 3:56 |
Fontessa/No Sun in Venice [2008]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
Over The Rainbow | 3:55 |
West Coast Cool [2008]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
But Not for Me | 3:44 |
Sax Symbol [2007]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
In a Sentimental Mood | 3:20 |
Almost Like Being in Love | 3:25 |
The History of Jazz: The Very Best of Swing, Bebop, Cool & Fusion [2007]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea |
Three Windows/For Ellington [2007]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
Prelude to a Kiss | 5:00 |
It Don't Mean a Thing | 5:46 |
Classic Concepts [2006]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
But Not for Me | 3:45 |
I'll Remember April | 4:45 |
Yesterdays | 4:38 |
Complete Recordings [2006]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
Fun | 5:37 |
European Tour '56 [2006]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
How High the Moon | 8:09 |
Golden Years of Jazz 1948-1955 [2006]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
In a Sentimental Mood | 3:20 |
Introducing: The Modern Jazz Quartet [2006]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
Over the Rainbow | 3:54 |
I Love You Porgy | 3:25 |
Ralph's New Blues [2006]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea | 2:35 |
'Round Midnight | 2:56 |
I'll Remember April | 5:06 |
The Queen's Fancy [2006]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
But Not for Me | 3:45 |
Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea | 2:37 |
'Round Midnight | 2:55 |
The Very Best Of George Gershwin Songbook [2006]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
But Not For Me | 3:45 |
The Very Best of the Modern Jazz Quartet [Music Brokers] [2006]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
How High the Moon | 5:50 |
Jazz After Dark, Vol. 2 [Playboy] [2005]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
In a Sentimental Mood | 3:21 |
Prestige Profiles [2005]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
In a Sentimental Mood | 3:18 |
Softly As...1951-1953 [2005]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
But Not for Me | 3:44 |
Bluesology [2004]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea | 2:36 |
Round About Midnight | 2:56 |
I'll Remember April | 5:06 |
Soon/For You, For Me/Forevermore/Love Walked In | 7:52 |
But Not for Me | 3:44 |
Complete 1951-1953 Studio Sessions [2004]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea | 2:37 |
But Not for Me | 3:43 |
Beginnings [2003]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
Between The Devil And The Deep Blue Sea | 2:35 |
Giants of Jazz: 'Round Midnight [2003]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
'Round Midnight | 2:56 |
Lullaby of Birdland [Giant Steps] [2003]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
How High the Moon | 5:27 |
Embraceable You | 3:30 |
The Complete Modern Jazz Quartet Prestige & Pablo Recordings [2003]
A Proper Introduction to the Modern Jazz Quartet: La Ronde [2002]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
But Not for Me | 3:48 |
I'll Remember April | 5:12 |
All the Famous Songs [2002]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea | 2:38 |
'Round About Midnight | 2:59 |
I'll Remember April | 5:09 |
Gershwin Medley: Soon/For You, For Me/Forevermore/Love Walked ... | 7:52 |
But Not for Me | 3:46 |
1953: An Exceptional Encounter [2001]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
You Are Too Beautiful | 3:51 |
Lady Be Good | |
Oh, Lady Be Good | 5:25 |
The Nearness of You | 5:38 |
Danny Boy | 4:37 |
Nearness of You | |
Cotton Tail | 5:39 |
At Music Inn [LP] [2000]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
Fun |
Les Incontournables [2000]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing) | 5:05 |
Fontessa: Ljublijana, May 1960 [1999]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
How High the Moon | 8:22 |
Immortal Concerts [1999]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing) | 5:32 |
'Round Midnight | 3:48 |
I'll Remember April | 4:50 |
Airegin: 1951-1956 [1998]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
In a Sentimental Mood | 3:19 |
Modern Jazz Giants, Vol. 4 [1998]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
I'll Remember April |
Monterey Jazz Festival: 40 Legendary Years [1997]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
'Round Midnight | 7:28 |
2 Degrees East, 3 Degrees West [1995]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
How High the Moon | 5:36 |
'Round Midnight | 4:02 |
I'll Remember April | 5:21 |
The Modern Jazz Quartet [1995]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
For You, For Me, Forever More | |
Our Love Is Here to Stay | |
I'll Remember April | |
But Not For Me |
A 40th Anniversary Celebration [1993]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
Memories of You | 4:16 |
The Artistry of the Modern Jazz Quartet [1992]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
In a Sentimental Mood | 3:21 |
Almost Like Being in Love | 3:25 |
The Complete Prestige Recordings [1992]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
I Know | 2:33 |
MJQ: 40 Years [1991]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
Fun | 5:31 |
'Round Midnight | 3:44 |
Live 1956 [1989]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea | 4:42 |
For Ellington [1988]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
Prelude to a Kiss | 5:05 |
It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing) | 5:48 |
It Don't Mean a Thing |
The Complete Last Concert [1974]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
'Round Midnight | 7:36 |
The Last Concert [Japan] [1974]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
'Round Midnight | 7:35 |
The Art of the Modern Jazz Quartet [1973]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
Fun [Live] | 5:32 |
The Art of the Modern Jazz Quartet [1973]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
Fun [with Jimmy Giuffre] | 5:34 |
Space [1969]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
Here's That Rainy Day | 4:20 |
Live at the Lighthouse [1967]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
The Shadow of Your Smile | 5:40 |
Vendome [1966]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing) | 5:04 |
How High the Moon | 6:17 |
Plays George Gershwin's "Porgy and Bess" [1965]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
Summertime | 5:59 |
I Loves You, Porgy | 3:25 |
It Ain't Necessarily So | 6:21 |
There's a Boat Dat's Leavin' Soon for New York | 4:18 |
America's Greatest Jazzmen Play George Gershwin [1963]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
For You, for Me, for Evermore |
At the Opera House [1962]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
'Round Midnight | |
Should I | |
Indiana |
European Concert, Vol. 2 [1962]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
I'll Remember April | |
It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing) |
Dedicated to Connie [1960]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
'Round Midnight | 4:09 |
It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing) | 5:13 |
How High the Moon | 7:51 |
European Concert [Collectables] [1960]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing) | 5:38 |
'Round Midnight | 3:48 |
I'll Remember April | 4:53 |
European Concert, Vol. 1 [1960]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing) | 5:49 |
'Round Midnight | 3:51 |
I'll Remember April | 4:55 |
Pyramid [1960]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
It Don't Mean A Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing) | 5:02 |
How High The Moon | 6:17 |
Pyramid/Patterns [1960]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
It Don't Mean a Thing (If it Ain't Got That Swing) | 5:04 |
How High the Moon | 6:17 |
The Modern Jazz Quartet Plays for Lovers [1960]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
But Not for Me | 3:42 |
I'll Remember April | 5:05 |
Compact Jazz: Modern Jazz Quartet Plus [1957]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
On Green Dolphin Street | 7:28 |
I'll Remember April | 4:51 |
'Round Midnight | 3:56 |
The Modern Jazz Quartet [1957]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea | 6:55 |
The Modern Jazz Quartet [1957] [1957]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea |
Fontessa [1956]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
Over The Rainbow | 3:54 |
Fontessa [Bonus Track] [1956]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
Over the Rainbow |
The Modern Jazz Quartet at the Music Inn, Vol. 1 [1956]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
Fun |
Concorde [1955]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
I'll Remember April | 5:09 |
Concorde [Japan] [1955]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
I'll Remember April | 5:10 |
Django [1955]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
I'll Remember April | 5:10 |
But Not For Me | 3:47 |
How High the Moon (With Charlie Parker) | 5:31 |
Over the Rainbow | 3:57 |
Django [Japan] [1955]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
But Not for Me | 3:46 |
First Recordings! [1955]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
But Not for Me | 3:42 |
Modern Jazz Quartet, Vol. 2 [1955]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
I'll Remember April | 5:05 |
Modern Jazz Quartet, Vol. 2: 1954-1955 [1953]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
But Not for Me | 3:42 |
Sonny Rollins with the Modern Jazz Quartet [1953]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
Almost Like Being In Love | 3:26 |
In a Sentimental Mood | 3:22 |
Time On My Hands | |
This Love of Mine |
Sonny Rollins with the Modern Jazz Quartet [20-Bit Remastered] [1953]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
Almost Like Being in Love | 3:25 |
In a Sentimental Mood | 3:20 |
Modern Jazz Quartet [1952] [1952]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
Round About Midnight | 2:58 |
Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea | 2:35 |
Concorde
Song | Duration |
---|---|
I'll Remember April [RVG Remaster] | 5:06 |
Elegance: The Birth of the Modern Jazz Quartet
Song | Duration |
---|---|
Between The Devil And The Deep Blue Sea | 2:35 |
Jazz Session: Erotic Jazz
Song | Duration |
---|---|
In a Sentimental Mood | 3:19 |
Jazzology
Song | Duration |
---|---|
But Not For Me | 3:47 |
Over The Rainbow | 3:57 |
I'll Remember April | 5:10 |
Live in New York 1971
Song | Duration |
---|---|
Here's That Rainy Day | 5:09 |
The Artistry of the Modern Jazz Quartet
Song | Duration |
---|---|
I'll Remember April | 5:10 |
The Last Concert
Song | Duration |
---|---|
'Round Midnight | 7:35 |
The Modern Jazz Quartet [Jazz Tunes]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
But Not for Me | |
Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea |
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