The Modern Jazz Quartet Lonely Woman

180g High Quality Pressing!
Re-mastering by Ray Staff at Air Mastering!
By sponsoring Ornette Coleman at Lennox's School of Jazz in Massachusetts, pianist and composer John Lewis helped one of jazz's last great innovators launch his controversial career. Lewis's support for the shady Texan was in some ways unique in jazz circles of the time, and also surprising, especially when you consider the gulf between the formality of classical jazz in his group, the Modern Jazz Quartet (MJQ), and Coleman's radical conception of free improvisation. Nevertheless, Lewis not only saw Coleman as the first jazz genius since the days of bebop with Parker, Gillespie and Monk, but also paid a special tribute by recording one of Coleman's most famous pieces, "Lonely Woman", with the MJQ in 1962. (Along with Art Pepper's 1960 version of "Tears Inside," this was one of the earliest covers of a Coleman piece.)
The album of the same name, released in 1962 on Atlantic, proves to be one of the group's best achievements. Lewis and the other members of the MJQ, namely Milt Jackson, Percy Heath and Connie Kaye, capitalize on the dramatic theme of "Lonely Woman" while adding a bit of complex chamber music to the mix. The quartet doesn't take Coleman's harmolodic theory of free form to heart over a round of donquixotic solos, but the group shines a light on the often overlooked strength of his compositional ideas. While the MJQ continues to prove its skilful playing with intricate pieces based on Lewis originals such as "Fugato" and "Trieste", the group balances the album with looser material that harmonizes better with Jackson's penchant for blues and swing. A great record, perfect for the curious jazz lover.
Having sponsored Ornette Coleman at the School of Jazz near Lennox, MA, pianist and composer John Lewis helped launch the controversial career of one of the last great innovators in jazz. Lewis' support of the ragtag Texas native was somewhat unique in jazz circles at the time and even surprising, especially considering the gulf between the classical jazz formality of his group the Modern Jazz Quartet and Coleman's radical notions of free improvisation. Nevertheless, Lewis not only saw in Coleman the first jazz genius since bebop's Parker, Gillespie, and Monk, but put pay to the praise with the MJQ's 1962 rendition of one of Coleman's most famous numbers, "Lonely Woman." (Along with Art Pepper's 1960 version of "Tears Inside," this was one of the earliest of Coleman covers done.)
The 1962 Atlantic album of the same name turns out to be one of the band's best efforts. Lewis and fellow MJQ members Milt Jackson, Percy Heath, and Connie Kaye capitalize on the dramatic theme of "Lonely Woman" while adding a bit of chamber music complexity to the mix. The quartet doesn't take Coleman's free form harmolodic theory to heart with a round of quixotic solos, but the group does spotlight the often overlooked strength of his compositional ideas. And while the MJQ further plies its knack for involved pieces on Lewis originals like "Fugato" and "Trieste," the group also balances out the set with looser material more in tune with Jackson's blues and swing sensibilities.

Features:

• 180g High Quality Pressing
• Re-mastering by Ray Staff at Air Mastering at Air Mastering, Lyndhurst Hall, London
• Pressed at Pallas
• Made in the U.K.

Musicians:

• Milt Jackson, vibraphone
• John Lewis, piano
• Percy Heath, bass
• Connie Kay, drums
  

Selections:

Side A
1. Lonely Woman
2. Animal Dance
3. New York 19
4. Belkis
Side B
1. Why Are You Blue
2. Fugato
3. Lamb, Leopard (If I Were Eve "Original Sin")
4. Trieste