John Lewis

John Lewis - The Golden Striker (1960) [Japanese Edition 2013] (Repost)

John Lewis - The Golden Striker (1960) [Japanese Edition 2013]
EAC Rip | FLAC (image+.cue+log) - 194 MB | MP3 CBR 320 kbps (LAME 3.93) - 83 MB | Covers - 24 MB
Genre: Jazz, Third Stream | RAR 3% Rec. | Label: Warner Music Japan (WPCR-27260)

One of the less interesting John Lewis "third-stream" projects, this LP features Lewis' "Music for Brass." Six of his originals (four songs from his ballet "The Comedy," "Odds Against Tomorrow" and "The Golden Striker") plus four brief "Fanfares" are performed by four trumpets, two trombones, four French horns, a tuba and Lewis' trio.
John Lewis - John Lewis Presents Contemporary Music: Jazz Abstractions (1961) [Japanese Edition 2013] (Repost)

John Lewis - John Lewis Presents Contemporary Music: Jazz Abstractions (1961) [Japanese Edition 2013]
EAC Rip | FLAC (image+.cue+log) - 202 MB | MP3 CBR 320 kbps (LAME 3.93) - 85 MB | Covers - 25 MB
Genre: Jazz, Third Stream, Avant-garde Jazz | RAR 3% Rec. | Label: Warner Music Japan (WPCR-27208)

Although John Lewis is listed as the leader (this album's alternate title is "John Lewis Presents Contemporary Music"), the pianist does not actually appear on this record and only contributed one piece ("Django"). On what is very much a Gunther Schuller project, Schuller composed "Abstraction" and was responsible for the adventurous three-part "Variants on a Theme of John Lewis (Django)" and the four-part "Variants on a Theme of Thelonious Monk (Criss-Cross)"; Jim Hall contributed "Piece for Guitar & Strings." One of the most successful third stream efforts, this LP combines avant-garde jazz with aspects of classical music. Among the more notable stars, altoist Ornette Coleman is on "Abstraction" and "Criss Cross" (both of which have been reissued in his Rhino CD box) and multi-instrumentalist Eric Dolphy is on both of the "Variants"…
John Lewis - The John Lewis Piano (1957) [Japanese Edition 2012] (Repost)

John Lewis - The John Lewis Piano (1957) [Japanese Edition 2012]
EAC Rip | FLAC (image+.cue+log) - 181 MB | MP3 CBR 320 kbps (LAME 3.93) - 89 MB | Covers - 25 MB
Genre: Jazz, Bop, Cool Jazz | RAR 3% Rec. | Label: Warner Music Japan (WPCR-27089)

Pianist John Lewis, heard on vacation from the Modern Jazz Quartet, mostly plays introverted interpretations on this album. He duets with drummer Connie Kay and guitarists Barry Galbraith and Jim Hall, only using a full rhythm section (bassist Percy Heath and drummer Kay) on two of the seven selections. The thoughtful and introspective selections include four Lewis originals (best-known is "D & E") and three standards (including a tender "It Never Entered My Mind").
John Lewis - Essence: John Lewis Plays the Compositions & Arrangements of Gary McFarland (1962) [Japanese Edition 2012] (Re-up)

John Lewis - Essence: John Lewis Plays the Compositions & Arrangements of Gary McFarland (1962) [Japanese Edition 2012]
EAC Rip | FLAC (image+.cue+log) - 197 MB | MP3 CBR 320 kbps (LAME 3.93) - 78 MB | Covers - 26 MB
Genre: Jazz, Bop | RAR 3% Rec. | Label: Warner Music Japan (WPCR-27119)

Essence, released in 1962, allows space for improvising around the charts provided by vibraphonist Gary McFarland. Arranged by Lewis, it featuring an array of jazz greats including Eric Dolphy, Phil Woods, Freddie Hubbard, Benny Golson, Jimmy Giuffre, and Jim Hall.

John Lewis & Helen Merrill - Django (1977) [Japanese Edition 2011]  Music

Posted by gribovar at April 15, 2023
John Lewis & Helen Merrill - Django (1977) [Japanese Edition 2011]

John Lewis & Helen Merrill - Django (1977) [Japanese Edition 2011]
EAC Rip | FLAC (image+.cue+log) - 256 MB | MP3 CBR 320 kbps (LAME 3.93) - 96 MB | Covers - 56 MB
Genre: Vocal Jazz | RAR 3% Rec. | Label: Solid Records (CDSOL-1407)

Helen Merrill's first American record since 1968 (she had spent much time in Japan) is mostly a duet set with pianist John Lewis; three songs also have flutist Hubert Laws, bassist Richard Davis and drummer Connie Kay. The emphasis is on ballads, with all of the nine songs (other than the pianist's "The Singer") being quite well-known. The obvious empathy between Merrill and Lewis is well displayed on such numbers as "Django" (which has rarely been sung), "Angel Eyes," "Alone Together" and "Mad About the Boy." An introspective set full of subtle creativity.

John Lewis - Grand Encounter (1956) [Reissue 1990]  Music

Posted by gribovar at July 27, 2019
John Lewis - Grand Encounter (1956) [Reissue 1990]

John Lewis - Grand Encounter (1956) [Reissue 1990]
EAC Rip | FLAC (image+.cue+log) - 192 MB | MP3 CBR 320 kbps (LAME 3.93) - 90 MB | Covers (8 MB) included
Genre: Jazz | RAR 3% Rec. | Label: Toshiba-EMI (TOCJ-5348), Japan

Also reissued as 2 Degrees East, 3 Degrees West and occasionally listed under tenor saxophonist Bill Perkins' name, this classic session is the ultimate in cool jazz. Perkins' mellow tone matches quite well with the quiet but inwardly passionate playing of pianist John Lewis, guitarist Jim Hall, bassist Percy Heath, and drummer Chico Hamilton. Lewis is featured with the rhythm section on "I Can't Get Started," Hall is added for "Skylark," and the full group plays three standards plus Lewis' memorable (and atmospheric) "2 Degrees East, 3 Degrees West."
John Lewis - The Wonderful World of Jazz (1961) [Japanese Edition 2012]

John Lewis - The Wonderful World of Jazz (1961) [Japanese Edition 2012]
EAC Rip | FLAC (image+.cue+log) - 315 MB | MP3 CBR 320 kbps (LAME 3.93) - 131 MB | Covers - 28 MB
Genre: Jazz, Bop, Cool Jazz | RAR 3% Rec. | Label: Warner Music Japan (WPCR-27036)

This is one of pianist John Lewis' most rewarding albums outside of his work with the Modern Jazz Quartet. Three numbers (including a remake of "Two Degrees East, Three Degrees West") showcase his piano in a quartet with guitarist Jim Hall, bassist George Duvivier, and drummer Connie Kay. A 15-and-a-half-minute rendition of "Body and Soul" has one of tenor saxophonist Paul Gonsalves' finest solos, while "Afternoon in Paris" features a diverse cast with trumpeter Herb Pomeroy, Gunther Schuller on French horn, tenor man Benny Golson, baritonist Jimmy Giuffre, and guitarist Jim Hall; altoist Eric Dolphy cuts everyone.
John Lewis - Improvised Meditations & Excursions (1959) [Japanese Edition 2012] (Re-up)

John Lewis - Improvised Meditations & Excursions (1959) [Japanese Edition 2012]
EAC Rip | FLAC (image+.cue+log) - 222 MB | MP3 CBR 320 kbps (LAME 3.93) - 86 MB | Covers - 26 MB
Genre: Jazz, Bop | RAR 3% Rec. | Label: Warner Music Japan (WPCR-27090)

The emphasis on this fine LP is on John Lewis' piano playing. Taking time off from the Modern Jazz Quartet and his orchestral writing, Lewis performs five standards plus two of his originals ("Delaunay's Dilemma" and "Love Me") in a trio with drummer Connie Kay and either George Duvivier or Percy Heath on bass. A master at playing blues, Lewis' versatility and solid sense of swing can be heard on such songs as his two originals as well as "Now's the Time," "Yesterdays," and "September Song."
John Lewis & Svend Asmussen - European Encounter (1962) [Japanese Edition 2013] (Re-up)

John Lewis & Svend Asmussen - European Encounter (1962) [Japanese Edition 2013]
EAC Rip | FLAC (image+.cue+log) - 244 MB | MP3 CBR 320 kbps (LAME 3.93) - 93 MB | Covers - 25 MB
Genre: Jazz, Bop, Swing | RAR 3% Rec. | Label: Warner Music Japan (WPCR-27261)

Violinist Svend Asmussen (who has had too few of his albums through the decades available in the U.S.) teams up with pianist John Lewis, bassist Jimmy Woode and drummer Sture Kalin on this 1962 session from Stockholm, Sweden. Most notable is the repertoire: six Lewis originals (including "Django") and Ornette Coleman's "Lonely Woman." Asmussen fits in well with Lewis and brings a solid sense of swing to the somewhat complex music.
John Lewis & Albert Mangelsdorff, The Zagreb Jazz Quartet - Animal Dance (1964) [Japanese Edition 2013] (Repost)

John Lewis & Albert Mangelsdorff, The Zagreb Jazz Quartet - Animal Dance (1964) [Japanese Edition 2013]
EAC Rip | FLAC (image+.cue+log) - 212 MB | MP3 CBR 320 kbps (LAME 3.93) - 83 MB | Covers - 25 MB
Genre: Jazz, Hard Bop, Cool Jazz | RAR 3% Rec. | Label: Warner Music Japan (WPCR-27209)

This studio date came about as a result of Albert Mangelsdorff's appearance at the Third Yugoslavian Jazz Festival, where pianist John Lewis was impressed enough with his performance to set up a recording session a few days later. With bassist Karl Theodor Geier and drummer Silvije Glojnaric also on hand, none of the musicians had ever played together, though it made little difference as they quickly absorbed the originals of Lewis and Mangelsdorff, along with the familiar standard "Autumn Leaves" (a trio arrangement omitting Lewis) and Gary McFarland's "Why Are You Blue." The leader's judgment is validated with Mangelsdorff's impressive work. The final track showcases a separate group, the Zagreb Jazz Quartet, featuring pianist Davor Kajfes, vibraphonist Bosko Petrovic, bassist Miljenko Prohaska and Glojnaric on drums.