The Modern Jazz Quartet - The Comedy (1962/2011) [Official Digital Download 24bit/192kHz]

"The Comedy" is an overwhelmingly brilliant concept album from the historic quartet, comprised of bassist Percy Heath, drummer Connie Kay, pianist John Lewis and vibraphonist Milt Jackson. The swinging infusion features seven scintillating compositions revolving around distinctive characters from an Italian comedy. Beautifully composed and artfully arranged, the album features one of the quartet’s finest performances ever with “Pulcinella”.

This is the type of album that led many bop purists to criticize the Modern Jazz Quartet (and John Lewis in particular) for being overly influenced by Western classical music. This album has seven of Lewis' compositions, episodic works arranged in a suite that portrays characters from a fictional Italian comedy based in the 1500s. Singer Diahann Carroll guests fairly effectively on "La Cantatrice." Despite being tied to a story, there are some strong improvisations from pianist Lewis and vibraphonist Milt Jackson on this unusual material. The release is not that essential but it is quite interesting.

Tracklist:

01 - Spanish Steps
02 - Columbine
03 - Pulcinella
04 - Pierrot
05 - La Cantatrice
06 - Harlequin
07 - Piazza Navona

Produced by Nesuhi Ertegun. Engineered by om Dowd.
Recorded on October 20, 1960 and January 22, 23 & 24, 1962 in New York City.

Musicians:
Milt Jackson - vibraphone
John Lewis - piano
Percy Heath - bass
Connie Kay - drums
Diahann Carroll – vocals on "5"


Thanks to the Original customer!