DVD:
Modern Jazz Quartet Live

This DVD set includes three exclusive live performances.

This DVD set includes three exclusive live performances from the Palais des Beaux-Arts, Brussels,1961; the 35th Anniversary Concert from Music Festival Freiburg, 1987 and the 40th Anniversary Concert from Jazz Gipfel Stuttgart, 1992

The Modern Jazz Quartet was established in 1952 and played music influenced by classical, cool jazz, blues and bebop. Under John Lewis's direction, they formed their own niche by specialising in elegant, restrained music. Lewis’s interest in classical music and baroque forms led him to compose fugues for the MJQ.

Alexander's Fugue is a great example of these compositions included in this set. The Modern Jazz Quartet is famous for its eloquent interpretation of the piece Django, which is included in this DVD set, written by John Lewis, and dedicated to Django Reinhardt. The Guardian named it “one of the 50 great moments in jazz.”

John Lewis (piano) ∙ Milt Jackson (vibraphone) ∙ Percy Heath (bass) ∙ Connie Kay (drums)

Original title Modern Jazz Quartet Live
Production year 1962, 1987, 1992
Duration DVD 1: 114 mins; DVD 2: 55 mins, Total: 169 mins
Video format 4:3 - NTSC
Audio format mono