John Lewis
Albums
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 [more]
- List Price: $17.98
- Member Price: $11.98
Although John Lewis plays piano throughout this orchestral album, he only solos on one piece ("Two Degrees East-Three Degrees West"). There are spots for baritonist Ronnie Ross and [more]
- List Price: $17.98
- Member Price: $16.18
Appearances
This album is perhaps most significant for the process it set in motion -- the collaboration between Gil Evans and Miles Davis that would produce Porgy and Bess and Sketches of Spain, two [more]
- List Price: $16.98
- Member Price: $4.98
This magnificent limited-edition set launched the Mosaic label in real style. Included are all of Thelonious Monk's Blue Note recordings, six sessions as a leader [more]
- List Price: $67.96
- Member Price: $54.98
The classic songs of Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart are rendered on this outstanding three-disc set, which features vocalists like Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, [more]
- Member Price: $49.98
This LP has a particularly strong all-around set by the Modern Jazz Quartet. While John Lewis' "Versailles" and an 11-minute "Fontessa" show the seriousness of the group (and the [more]
- List Price: $17.99
- Member Price: $11.98
Like swing guitarist Charlie Christian, Clifford Brown was incredibly influential for someone who died so young. The Fats Navarro-minded trumpeter was only 25 when a [more]
- List Price: $17.98
- Member Price: $11.98
This album has an interesting concept, alternating four original blues with five adaptations of melodies from classical works by Bach. The Modern Jazz Quartet had long been [more]
- List Price: $17.99
- Member Price: $11.98
So dubbed because these three sessions -- two from early 1949, one from March 1950 -- are where the sound known as cool jazz essentially formed, The Birth of the Cool remains one of [more]
- List Price: $17.98
- Member Price: $10.98
Excellent tribute work from The American Jazz Orchestra, an assemblage of masterful talents that unfortunately had to disband due to a [more]
- List Price: $16.99
- Member Price: $11.98
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 [more]
- List Price: $17.98
- Member Price: $11.98
At the time, this two-record set was viewed as the end of an era. Now it only represents the climax of phase one. It's an excellent set, though -- among their best live efforts. ~ Ron Wynn, All Music Guide
- List Price: $35.96
- Member Price: $9.96
Biography
- Born May 3rd 1920 in La Grange, IL
- Died Mar 29th 2001
The musical director of the Modern Jazz Quartet for its entire history, John Lewis found the perfect outlet for his interest in bop, blues, and Bach. Possessor of a "cool" piano style that (like Count Basie's) makes every note count, Lewis with the MJQ has long helped make jazz look respectable to the classical music community without watering down his performances.
After serving in the military, Lewis was in the Dizzy Gillespie big band (1946-1948). He recorded with Charlie Parker during 1947-1948 (including "Parker's Mood"), and played with Miles Davis' Birth of the Cool Nonet, arranging "Move" and "Rouge." He worked with Illinois Jacquet (1948-1949) and Lester Young (1950-1951), and appeared on many recordings during the era. In 1951, Lewis recorded with the Milt Jackson Quartet which by 1952 became the Modern Jazz Quartet. Lewis' musical vision was fulfilled with the MJQ and he composed many pieces, with "Django" being the best-known. In addition to constantly touring with the MJQ during 1952-1974, Lewis wrote the film scores to {#Odds Against Tomorrow}, {#No Sun in Venice}, and {#A Milanese Story}, recorded as a leader (including the 1956 cool classic "Two Degrees East, Three Degrees West," collaborations with Gunther Schuller, and records with Svend Asmussen and Albert Mangelsdorff), and worked with Orchestra U.S.A. in the mid-'60s. When the MJQ broke up in 1974, Lewis worked as an educator and occasionally recorded as a leader. With the MJQ's rebirth in 1981, he has resumed his former role as its guiding spirit. Most of John Lewis' own projects were recorded for Atlantic. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide
The Source for Discounted Rare & Essential Jazz Music CDs!
©2010 Jazz Heritage Society. All Rights Reserved.
Jazz Heritage Society - 1710 Highway 35 - Oakhurst, NJ 07755