Trapeze Catalogue

John Lewis - Before The MJQ 1946-52

John Lewis - Before The MJQ 1946-52

Stock Status: In Stock

John Lewis was a jazz pianist best-known for his work as founder member and musical director of the Modern Jazz Quartet.

Famous for blending elements of classical music with individual and ensemble improvisation in a refined chamber style of jazz, the music of the MJQ was in many ways the culmination of the development of Lewis’ musical ideas during the five years of his professional career before that quartet came together. Working with some of the most influential and notable names in jazz during the bebop era, Lewis was classically-trained as a child.

While serving in World War Two he met drummer Kenny Clarke who suggested he moved to New York once their service was over. On moving to The Big Apple, Clarke introduced him to Dizzy Gillespie and Lewis successfully auditioned for the trumpeter’s band in 1945.

This 75-track set includes recordings made over the next six years or so with ensembles led by Dizzy Gillespie, Miles Davis, Charlie Parker, Milt Jackson, Illinois Jacquet, J.J. Johnson, Lester Young, and Zoot Sims. It features many landmark sessions that are, without exaggeration, among the most significant in the entire history of modern jazz.

As well as those aforementioned leaders, it includes performances with the likes of Max Roach, Kenny Clarke, Ray Brown, Sonny Rollins, Chano Pozo, Kai Winding, Sonny Stitt, Curly Russell, Lee Konitz, Jo Jones, Percy Heath and many more.

Lewis, who was influenced by the arranging style of Count Basie,  played with a tone quality that made listeners feel as though every note was deliberate. His contributions on the recordings presented here underline his understated, but masterful, approach to jazz.


TRACKS

Disc 1
1 Milestones Miles Davis All Stars

2

Little Willie Leaps Miles Davis All Stars
3 Half Nelson Miles Davis All Stars
4 Sippin' At Bell's Miles Davis All Stars
5 Two Bass Hit Dizzy Gillespie And His Orchestra
6 Bobbin' With Robin [Baggy's Blues] Milt Jackson & His All Stars
7 Slits Milt Jackson & His All Stars
8 Baggy Eyes Milt Jackson & His All Stars
9 Barbados Charlie Parker's All Stars
10 Ah-Leu-Cha Charlie Parker's All Stars
11 Constellation Charlie Parker's All Stars
12 Parker's Mood Charlie Parker's All Stars
13 Perhaps Charlie Parker's All Stars
14 Marmaduke Charlie Parker's All Stars
15 Steeplechase Charlie Parker's All Stars
16 Merry-Go-Round Charlie Parker's All Stars
17 Move Miles Davis And His Orchestra
18 Budo Miles Davis And His Orchestra
19 Big Foot Illinois Jacquet And His Orchestra
20 Black Velvet Illinois Jacquet And His Orchestra
21 Adam's Alley Illinois Jacquet And His Orchestra
22 Venus De Milo Miles Davis And His Orchestra
23 Rouge Miles Davis And His Orchestra
24 Boplicity Miles Davis And His Orchestra
25 Audobahn [Audubon] Jay Jay Johnson's Boppers
26 Don't Blame Me Jay Jay Johnson's Boppers
Disc 2
Track Title Artist
1 Goof Square Jay Jay Johnson's Boppers
2 Bee Jay Jay Jay Johnson's Boppers
3 Elysee Jay Jay Johnson's Boppers
4 Opus V Jay Jay Johnson's Boppers
5 Hilo Jay Jay Johnson's Boppers
6 Afternoon In Paris J.J. Johnson
7 Elora J.J. Johnson
8 Teapot J.J. Johnson
9 Blue Mode J.J. Johnson
10 Deception Miles Davis And His Orchestra
11 Rocker Miles Davis And His Orchestra
12 Moon Dreams Miles Davis And His Orchestra
13 Three Little Words Lester Young Quartet
14 Count Every Star Lester Young Quartet
15 It All Depends On You Lester Young Quartet
16 Jeepers Creepers Lester Young Quartet
17 My Silent Love Zoot Sims
18 Jane-O Zoot Sims
19 Dancing In The Dark Zoot Sims
20 Memories Of You Zoot Sims
21 Thou Swell Lester Young Quartet
22 September In The Rain Lester Young Quartet
23 Undercover Girl Blues [Undercover Blues] Lester Young Quartet
24 Frenesi Lester Young Quartet
Disc 3
Track Title Artist
1 Little Pee Blues Lester Young Quartet
2 Morpheus Miles Davis Sextet 
3 Down Miles Davis Sextet 
4 The Blue Room Miles Davis Sextet 
5 Whispering Miles Davis Sextet 
6 A Foggy Day Lester Young Quartet
7 Let's Fall In Love Lester Young Quartet
8 Down 'N' Adam Lester Young Quartet
9 Lester Swings Lester Young Quartet
10 Si Si Charlie Parker Quintet 
11 Swedish Schnapps Charlie Parker Quintet 
12 Back Home Blues Charlie Parker Quintet 
13 Lover Man Charlie Parker Quintet 
14 Milt Meets Sid Milt Jackson Quartet
15 D & E Milt Jackson Quartet
16 Yesterdays Milt Jackson Quartet
17 Between The Devil And The Deep Blue Sea Milt Jackson Quartet
18 Autumn Breeze Milt Jackson Quartet
19 Bluesology Milt Jackson Quartet
20 'Round Midnight ['Round About Midnight] Milt Jackson Quartet
21 Movin' Nicely [Moving Nicely] Milt Jackson Quartet
22 Tahiti Milt Jackson Quartet
23 Lillie Milt Jackson Quartet
24 Bags' Groove Milt Jackson Quartet
25 What's New ? Milt Jackson Quartet
  • Artist:
    John Lewis
  • EAN:
    824046911928
  • FORMAT:
    CD
  • Discs:
    3
  • Release:
    March 2022
  • Brand:
    Acrobat
  • Product Code:
    ACTRCD9119
  • Weight:
    0.2kg