Lewis Percy

"European Concert, Vol.1" is an essential document to the quartet’s entrancing live energy. The celebrated work is a seamless blend of refined arrangements and masterful improvisation. The quartet comprised of John Lewis, Percy Heath, Connie Kay and Milt Jackson are in extraordinary form delivering unforgettable performances of “Django”, “I Should Care” and “Bluesology”. Captured with the pristine sonic depth of a hi-res recording, this definitive performance by the quartet is simply breathtaking.

"Django", originally released in 1956 and features some of the best playing by The Modern Jazz Quintet in their discography. The album's sessions took place between 1953 and 1955, mostly recorded at Rudy Van Gelder's studio in Hackensack, New Jersey. All original tunes are by John Lewis, and the album also includes a few songs by Dizzy Gillespie and George & Ira Gershwin.

This is a set with the Modern Jazz Quartet. The choice of material and its order of appearance approximates a set you might hear if you were listening to the group at one of America’s leading jazz rooms. All the pieces display different use of contrapuntal technique. The record features works, "Ralph's New Blues" which starts off the set, "All of You" from Cole Porter's musical Silk Stockings, and Sigmund Romberg's "Softly, As in a Morning Sunrise" from New Moon. Originally recorded in 1955, the six song set has been remastered by Concord's original engineer Rudy Van Gelder.

This album, not released until 1956, contains the first recordings Sonny Rollins made for Prestige as leader in 1951 and 1953. Rollins is backed on four songs by the Modern Jazz Quartet (John Lewis, Milt Jackson, Percy Heath and Kenny Clarke), eight other tracks feature Heath with Kenny Drew and Art Blakey, while Miles Davis plays piano on the closing number I Know. Several of these songs appeared in 1952 on 10 inch vinyl entitled Sonny Rollins Quartet.

The formidable quartet of pianist John Lewis, bassist Percy Heath, vibraphonist Milt Jackson and drummer Connie Kay release a paramount recording with "Lonely Woman". The performers pay tribute to jazz great Ornette Coleman with a chamber music inspired rendition of “Lonely Woman”. One of their strongest efforts, the album features spine-chilling improvisations and magnificent solos. Included are two exceptional compositions by Lewis entitled “Fugato” and “Trieste”. This pristine hi-res download is the only way to experience the historic quartet.

Vibraphonist Milt Jackson, pianist John Lewis, bassist Percy Heath, and drummer Kenny Clarke were all veterans of Dizzy Gillespie's big band when they decided to dedicate themselves to the cooperative venture of the Modern Jazz Quartet. This compilation brings together material from 1952 to 1955, culled from recordings originally done for the Prestige label, and it shows both the gestation of the group and its early accomplishments.

Miles Davis is backed up by two different groups on these songs taken from various 10-inch vinyl releases, recorded in 1951 and 1953 and released in 1956. The earlier session features Sonny Rollins on saxophone, Bennie Green on trombone, John Lewis on piano, bassist Percy Heath and drummer Roy Haynes. The 1953 session also features Lewis, with Zoot Sims, Al Cohn and Sonny Truitt joining Davis on the front line, backed by the rhythm section of bassist Leonard Gaskin and drummer Kenny Clarke.

The Modern Jazz Quartet plays a selection of original compositions and riveting standards on their release, "The Sheriff". The album is infused with Latin and bossa nova rhythms. The work features four pieces by pianist John Lewis, including the blues-driven title track and the hauntingly beautiful “In a Crowd”. The quartet also performs works by Heitor Villa-Lobos (“Bachianas Brasileiras”) and Luiz Bonfa (“Carnival”). The quartet’s rich melodies and harmonious playing are strong and compelling.

"Blues on Bach" is the genre-defying album by The Modern Jazz Quartet comprised of vibraphonist Milt Jackson, pianist John Lewis, drummer Connie Kay and bassist Percy Heath. The diversified album is a combination of original blues compositions and works by Bach adapted with bluesy melodies. This hi-res remastering lends new clarity and depth to one of the most legendary quartets.

J. J. Johnson, also known as Jay Jay Johnson, was an American jazz trombonist, bandleader, arranger and composer. For this release J.J. Johnson teams up with trumpet legend Clifford Brown, saxophonist Jimmy Heath, pianist John Lewis, bassist Percy Heath and drummer Kenny Clarke. The six track EP was originally released in 1953 under Blue Note Records and features tracks "Lover Man", "It Could Happen to You" and "Get Happy". Clifford Brown steals the spotlight from Johnson in this EP with his complex harmonic progressions and up-tempo expertise.