Founded by pianist John Lewis, vibraphonist Milt Jackson, bassist Ray Brown, and drummer Kenny Clarke, The Modern Jazz Quartet began as the rhythm section of Dizzy Gillespie and His Orchestra in 1946. By 1951, the quartet had set their own course and recorded as the Milt Jackson Quartet. In 1952, with the substitution of Percy Heath for Ray Brown on bass, the group became established as The Modern Jazz Quartet (MJQ). The group combined forms and instrumentation common to classical music with jazz improvisation, paving a way for a new genre known as "third stream." They would go on to perform at prestigious concert halls often joined by an orchestra as well as many famous soloists.

Amie Street is very excited to bring you

. This live concert recording features the quartet in it's third reincarnation (Connie Kay eventually replaced Kenny Clarke on drums). We can assure you that they can swing with the best of them -- even with their tuxedos on!