| Reissue. Comes
with new liner notes. 2014 remaster. Available only for a limited period
of time until March 20, 2015. Available as CD for the first time in the
world. Overlooked solo work from John Lewis – a lesser-known,
Japanese-only session that features the pianist in a relaxed trio
setting! The mode here is as spacious as some of Lewis' more
contemplative records – still very much wrapped up in that careful sense
of tone and timing – but the overall feel is maybe more personal and
spontaneous, as John takes the lead in the company of Connie Kay on
drums and Michael Moore on bass. There's a nicely mature feel to the
music – but mature in a way that gets past some of Lewis' too-serious
modes of a decade or two previous – and titles include "Lela", "Sacha's
March", "Visitor From Mars", "Natural Affection", and "Monday In Milan". |
| Features 24 bit
remastering and comes with a mini-description. Serious compositional
material by John Lewis – a series of work based upon the Italian
tradition of commedia dell'arte, written for a larger group of brass
instruments – and given a real "classics meets jazz" sort of vibe – but
also handled with a gentle swing, too! Although Gunther Schuller's on
the album in the French Horn section, Lewis himself conducts the
ensemble – leading the brass section through a range of very short
"fanfares" and longer tunes that feature Lewis on piano, George Duvivier
on bass, and Connie Kay on drums. Titles include "Fanfare 1", "Piazza
Navona", "Odds Against Tomorrow", "Piazza Di Spagna", and "La
Cantatrice". |
| Features 24 bit
remastering and comes with a mini-description. On May 3, 2000, John
Lewis turned 80 -- and almost half a century after the formation of the
Modern Jazz Quartet, he could still inspire a variety of reactions. Over
the years, Lewis' detractors have insisted that his piano playing is
too polite and overly mannered; his admirers, however, have exalted him
as the epitome of class and sophistication. To be sure, Lewis' pianism
is quite sophisticated, but that doesn't mean that he doesn't swing or
that he isn't soulful. Recorded in 2000 and released in early 2001,
Evolution II isn't going to convert anyone who isn't already an admirer
of the pianist's cool jazz/third stream approach. |
| Features 24 bit
digital remastering. Comes with a mini description and bonus track.
John Lewis, a founding member of the Modern Jazz Quartet (and architect,
with Gunther Schuller, of the "Third Stream" movement that attempted a
fusion of classical music and jazz), has always been known for the
delicacy and refinement of his playing and for the quality of his
compositions. This solo album will only add to his reputation in both
regards. |
| Features 24 bit
digital remastering. Comes with a mini description. Ballads & Blues
is an album by American jazz vibraphonist Milt Jackson featuring
performances recorded in 1956 and released on the Atlantic label. The
unassuming title of this compilation understates the fact that Milt
Jackson is a master of ballad and blues forms, and an inspired
collaborator when working flautists. |
