Modern Jazz Quartet

Seminal and long-lived (1952-1974) Jazz ensemble which grew out of the rhythm section of the Dizzy Gillespie orchestra and had its first incarnation as the Milt Jackson Quartet in 1951. The original members of the group were John Lewis on piano, Milt Jackson on vibes, Ray Brown on double bass and Kenny Clarke on drums. By 1955, Percy Heath had replaced Brown and Connie Kay, Clarke. Over the years, many other musicians 'guested' with the MJQ, or were temporarily integrated into the unit. These included, among others Laurindo Almeida, Jimmy Giuffre, Sonny Rollins and Paul Desmond. The MJQ also performed with the Beaux Arts String Quartet conducted by composer and horn player Gunther Schuller, as well as with the string band Third Stream Music. The MJQ cemented their seriousness and 'respectability' as a more cerebral jazz ensemble by being invited to perform at the most prestigious clubs (such as Birdland,New York) concert and recital halls (eg. Carnegie Hall). Under the musical directi