The second volume of the
Modern Jazz Quartet at the Music Inn was released in 1959, a year after its historic first volume with guest
Jimmy Giuffre. The format on this set is similar, with pianist
John Lewis, vibraphonist
Milt Jackson, bassist
Percy Heath, and drummer
Connie Kay moving through a gorgeous medley of standards to open including "Stardust," "I Can't Get Started," and "Lover Man," with beautiful and clever counterpoint between
Lewis and
Jackson on the melody lines. There are two of
Lewis' originals here as well. The first is the wry, spare "Midsömmer" that begins atmospherically, with sparse lines played by
Jackson that reverberate as
Heath's bowed bass underscores them. When
Lewis enters, the melody unfolds tenderly and thoughtfully. It's a ballad of tension and textures.
Lewis' penchant for classical architecture permeates the tune, though it swings gently as well, with
Kay's brushed cymbals and gracefully caressed hi hat. "Festival "Sketch," at a little over three-and-a-half minutes, takes a counterpoint melody and generates a skittering swing tune out of it. As on the previous volume, the
Modern Jazz Quartet are joined by a guest for the final two cuts; ace saxophonist
Sonny Rollins digs in on both the classic "Bags Groove," composed by
Jackson, and
Dizzy Gillespie's bebop anthem "Night in Tunisia." Both tunes are rooted in blues grooves.
Rollins understands the
MJQ's use of tension and dynamics beautifully. His big, warm tone above
Lewis and
Jackson on the former is sweet, relaxed, and in-the-pocket. On the latter, the knotty melodic frame is played a little slower, but is a tough fingerpopper nonetheless, with
Rollins playing accents in the opening vamps and the just gliding into his big bluesy solo. This is a welcome addition to volume one, and a larger study in contrasts given
Rollins propensity to really blow, as opposed
Giuffre's lower key approach on the first volume. To say that this set works is an understatement. It is a highlight of the group's storied career on Atlantic. ~ Thom Jurek