The Modern Jazz Quartet: 35th Anniversary Tour

In 1987, the Modern Jazz Quartet marked their 35th anniversary, a milestone commemorated in this hour-shy concert from Germany's Zelt Musik Festival. Formed in 1952, the post-bop group took a hiatus between 1974 and 1981, but then rejoined for 14 more years (all have since passed away). Dressed in cream tuxedos with black bowties, John Lewis (piano), Milt “Bags” Jackson (vibraphone), Percy Heath (bass), and Connie Kay (drums), who replaced Kenny Clarke in ‘55, are in fine form throughout this set in Freiburg. Jackson, the most famous of the quartet, takes most of the solos, notably on his stately “Echoes” and on Lewis' dreamy “Django” (after Django Reinhart), the latter featuring a playful pas de deux between vibes and keys. MJQ continues to pay tribute to other favored players, like Duke Ellington (“Rockin' in Rhythm,” co-written with Harry Carney), Charlie Parker (Lewis' “Kansas City Breaks,” a reference to the saxophone legend's hometown), and George Gershwin (“Summertime,” co-written with DuBose Heyward). Although Jackson and Lewis take turns announcing most of the seven selections, onscreen titles list the remaining pieces, which is sure to be helpful for those less familiar with their repertoire (however, “Bags' Groove” is incorrectly listed as “Backgroove”). The set ends with the encore “A Day in Dubrovnik,” a quietly powerful Lewis composition that clocks in at 18 minutes. Presented in Dolby Digital 5.1, DTS, and PCM stereo, this is recommended. Aud: P. (K. Fennessy)