THE MODERN JAZZ QUARTET – FONTESSA LP – Nr MINT UK MONO JAZZ

The Modern Jazz Quartet – Fontessa
(London Records   LTZK15022  Mono)
UK Pressing

Vinyl in Nr MINT condition

Triple Flipback Sleeve in Nr MINT condition

The Modern Jazz Quartet (MJQ) was an influential music group established in 1952 and for most of their long career composed of John Lewis (piano, musical director), Milt Jackson (vibraphone), Percy Heath (double bass), and Connie Kay (drums).

Initially a side project for personnel from trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie’s hard-swinging big band, the MJQ gradually became a full-time endeavor and one of the more prominent jazz bands of the post-WWII era. Under Lewis’s leadership they carved their own niche by specializing in an elegant, restrained music (touching on bebop, cool jazz, third stream and classical music) that used sophisticated counterpoint yet nonetheless retained a strong blues feel. They introduced several jazz standards, including “Django” and “Bags’ Groove”.

Initially active into the 1970s until Jackson quit due to creative disagreement and frustration with their busy touring schedule, the MJQ reformed intermittently into the 1990s.

Fontessa is a 1956 album by the Modern Jazz Quartet released on Atlantic Records. It was the first of their albums released on Atlantic.

1. “Versailles” (John Lewis) – 3:22
2. “Angel Eyes” (Earl Brent, Matt Dennis) – 3:48
3. “Fontessa” (Lewis) – 11:12
4. “Over the Rainbow” (Harold Arlen, E.Y. Harburg) – 3:50
5. “Bluesology” (Milt Jackson) – 5:04
6. “Willow Weep for Me” (Ann Ronell) – 4:47
7. “Woody ‘n’ You” (Dizzy Gillespie) – 4:25

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