Search - Modern Jazz Quartet :: Complete Modern Jazz Quartet Prestige & Pablo Rec

Essential Jazz Music

J. Rich | 11/27/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"When people discuss jazz they seem to talk about Miles Davis, Thelonious Monk, John Coltrane, Bill Evans, etc. the most and with good reason, they are all groundbreaking jazz innovators, but the Modern Jazz Quartet are one of the best ongoing groups in the history of jazz. Milt Jackson, John Lewis, Percy Heath, Kenny Clarke, who after a few recordings was replaced by Connie Kay. What these outstanding musicians did was break down many barriers and they never seem to get their due. What the MJQ did was bring a level of sophistication to jazz music while still remaining it's roots in bebop. They also forged a new style of jazz using elements of classical music like counterpoint. A very remarkable group that is still underrated in my opinion.



"The Complete Modern Jazz Quartet Prestige & Pablo Recordings" is exactly what the title says, all of their work for those two labels (1952-1985). This music is lyrical and swinging. If you don't own anything, but are curious about this group then this is a great collection of music to pick up. This collection contains the classic recordings "Django" and "Concorde."



I highly recommend this box set to anyone willing to hear four jazz musicians that achieved a sound that was unlike anything at it's time."

"MJQ - A classic set"

P.K. | New Zealand | 01/08/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"A four CD set that spans a jazz band over a thirty three year period would for me usually spell disaster! How can any jazz group sound interesting and vibrant over so many years? There must only be a few good tracks here, right?....and the list of questions would go on, but for the Modern Jazz Quartet (members of whom have not changed in the group for almost thirty years) these are the sorts of questions you do not need to ask!



This CD set is a gem, a master class in a smooth gradually developing and ever widening show of a highly respected(in the jazz world) ensemble of jazz majicians, each in their own right musical masters. For me vibraphonist Milt Jackson is 'the icing on the cake' to this tremendous group.



Oh yeah....the mini booklet with a history of the group including photographs and the understated packaging makes this a must have in any respected jazz library.



Listen to one or two track previews from each CD....if it 'tickles your fancy' buy it, you won't regret it! You'll soon have your favourites but the other tracks will yearn for your ears.

"

Excellency in simplicity

Antonios Bimplakis | THESSALONIKI, GREECE | 03/24/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"NO DOUBT,EXCELLENT MUSIC!THE ONLY DISADVANTAGE IS THE ORDER OF THE TRACKS BUT ANYWAY THIS IS A STANDARD PROBLEM WITH THE BOXES"