Jazz Articles about John Lewis

Charlie Parker: Birth Of Bebop - Celebrating Bird At 100

by Mark Corroto
August 2, 2020

Let's face it, there is absolutely nothing new to say about the music of Charlie Parker, unless (insert joke here) you happen to be Phil Schaap. Lao Tzu's quote “The flame that burns twice as bright burns half as long" is fitting. John Coltrane was 40 when he died in 1967, Eric Dolphy 36 in 1964, and Clifford Brown died at 25 in 1956. Parker was dead at the age of thirty-five in 1955. His legend has grown larger with ...

John Lewis @ 100 and More May Birthdays

by Marc Cohn
May 29, 2020

May birthdays this week on G&M! Some big ones (of course): the John Lewis centennial, Dave McKenna @ 90, Arthur Blythe and Carlos Ward @ 80. It's also Stevie Wonder's 70th this month, and May celebrant salutes are in the house (Theo Hill, Ronnie Foster, Mel Lewis, and Groove Holmes) doing 'Wonderful' tunes. We also celebrate the births of Jack Walrath (with one of my desert island tracks), Betty Carter, Darrell Grant, the late Wallace Roney, as well as Miles ...

The Modern Jazz Quartet: The Music Inn

by Elliott Simon
November 5, 2003

...in our desire for beauty in all things we are open, and one in our search for that little city of gold where the flute-player never wearies, and the spring never fades, and the oracle is not silent, that little city which is the house of art, and where, with all the Music of the Spheres, and the laughter of the gods, Art waits for her worshippers-Oscar Wilde In 1950, while Senator McCarthy spearheaded his anti-artistic witch hunts, ...

The Modern Jazz Quartet: European Concert

by AAJ Staff
May 1, 2001

Ironically, The Modern Jazz Quartet's European Concert album finally is released on CD for the first time just before the passing of the third member of the legendary group, reducing the survivors to one: Percy Heath, who also is a member of one of the leading family triumvirates in jazz. Listed as one of the favorite MJQ albums by many of its fans, European Concert initially was released as a double-album package documenting the group's performances throughout Scandinavia in 1960. ...

John Lewis: Evolution II

by Craig Jolley
May 1, 2001

Together with Thelonious Monk and Tadd Dameron John Lewis defined the art composition for the bop generation. Beyond that he led a jazz ensemble for many years, acted as musical director for festivals and concerts, pioneered the fusion of European classical music with jazz, served as a music educator, sponsored young, unknown musicians in their first recordings, organized a series of recordings that presented veteran jazz musicians in unusual and favorable circumstances, and accompanied horn players and singers on piano. ...

John Lewis: Evolution

by Mike Neely
February 1, 2000

John Lewis's solo piano release “Evolution" has the feel of a master playing for himself alone in a room in a manner that is entirely focused on the development of the music as he plays. There is a mindfulness that comes up through the pauses and spaces of his refined, emotional style. At times it seems the listener is eavesdropping on an intimate conversation between Lewis and his music.

One of the highlights of this CD is a gospel jazz ...

John Lewis: Evolution

by Douglas Payne
December 1, 1999

Like a kindly grandfather with many adventures in his past and stories to tell, John Lewis tells the most ripping stories as a soloist. For years the musical director of the legendary Modern Jazz Quartet, Lewis has become known for his abilities to marry the bebop language with European classicism. As a musician, he's too often accused for his rigidity, formality and near refusal to swing. None of this logic prevails when he is the sole instrument.This is ...