Pianist John Lewis, vibraphonist
Milt Jackson, bassist
Ray Brown and drummer
Kenny Clarke first came together as the rhythm section of the 1946 Dizzy Gillespie & His Orchestra and they had occasional features that gave the overworked brass players a well-deserved rest. They next came together in 1951, recording as the Milt Jackson Quartet. In 1952, with Percy Heath taking
Brown's place,
the Modern Jazz Quartet (
MJQ) became a permanent group.
Other than Connie Kay succeeding
Clarke in 1955, the band's personnel was set. In the early days
Jackson and Lewis both were equally responsible for the group's musical direction but the pianist eventually took over as musical director.
The MJQ has long displayed John Lewis' musical vision, making
jazz seem respectable by occasionally interacting with
classical ensembles and playing concerts at prestigious venues, but always leaving plenty of space for bluesy and swinging improvising. Their repertoire, in addition to including veteran
bop and
swing pieces, introduced such originals as Lewis' "Django" and
Jackson's "Bags' Groove." The group recorded for Prestige (1952-55), Atlantic (1956-74), Verve (1957), United Artists (1959) and Apple (1967-69) and, in addition to the many quartet outings, they welcomed such guests as
Jimmy Giuffre,
Sonny Rollins, the Beaux Arts String Quartet, a symphony orchestra conducted by
Gunther Schuller, singer Diahann Carroll (on one piece),
Laurindo Almeida, a big band and
the Swingle Singers. Although the musicians all had opportunities to pursue individual projects, in 1974
Milt Jackson, tired of the constant touring and the limitations set on his improvising and he quit the group, causing
the MJQ to have a final tour and break up. In 1981
Jackson relented and
the Modern Jazz Quartet (which has recorded further albums for Pablo and Atlantic) became active again although on a more part-time basis. Connie Kay's health began to fade in the early '90s (Mickey Roker often filled in for him) and after his death in 1995, Albert "Tootie" Heath became his replacement. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide
