An Interview with Legendary Jazz Musician John Lewis completed as part of the Howard University Jazz Oral History Project. View More at library.howard....
I love the music of MJQ, and the way they think about their approach. What a fantastic resource - there are very few interviews with John or the MJQ... the Howard University Jazz Oral History Project is amazing
Wonderful musician, and composer! Love his counterpoint and fugues, as well as his use of very rich, and interesting juxtaposition of chords, often times used in a chromatic progression. The Modern Jazz Quartet was unique, with its very distinctive, and beautiful sound!
Thanks for posting . John thank for your mentor ship and meeting your f friends Arline Cunningham ,nesuhi Ertegun .i havecesoecially loved your score for Odds Against Tomorrow
@@ADSwing85 met John lewis at a 1956 57 Audi on in New York to see if I Could ce considered . He then gave six lessons to meet very clear but within what I thought were narrow boundaries. I know hat totally changed my mind 1958. Concerned three aspects kind but unenthusiastic I met him other summers More warm but kept strict faculty distance. Not true of other teachers We would discuss form a lot a special friend of J L was Arline .when she was absence at breakfast ,he kindly answered my and friends questions Met in New York one more time when nec played concert more then twenty or more years ago He was very pensive ,warm tomPercy ,gunther,Connie and stephanie .barber. Co director Some may be in forthcoming bio .
John Lewis was a remarkable artist. Thank you for posting this interview. I started actively building a collection of jazz albums in the early 20s, while I was still in college. It took me about five years to finally purchase a Modern Jazz Quartet album. I'm not sure why it took so long, because I'd listened to Milt Jackson, but I must've come across some lukewarm takes on the MJQ that steered me elsewhere. You know, people writing bullshit about their music like it's "polite" or "stuffy." Anyway, I finally purchased a CD of Fontessa at the local record store, and "Versailles" hit me like a freight train. The counterpoint is astonishing, especially when Milt Jackson is improvising; John Lewis isn't comping or accenting, he's playing a solo "underneath" Milt's--unbelievable the first time you hear it. Of course, the "Fontessa" suite is superb, and then there's the MJQ playing standard material unlike anyone else. Never had I heard such exciting, fun music with such restraint. Anyway, if you're reading this comment, and you heard some goofy opinion about John Lewis or the MJQ: don't believe it. Their music is incredible, largely driven by John's vision.
25:51 Is what I always tell people who don’t “get” or “like” Jazz. And, especially those who say places like the UK produced the best music. No disrespect to England, but their rock music only copies America. And there’d be no rock without Jazz
I love the music of MJQ, and the way they think about their approach. What a fantastic resource - there are very few interviews with John or the MJQ... the Howard University Jazz Oral History Project is amazing
Most wonderful musician with great insights on origins of BeeBop!
Wonderful musician, and composer! Love his counterpoint and fugues, as well as his use of very rich, and interesting juxtaposition of chords, often times used in a chromatic progression. The Modern Jazz Quartet was unique, with its very distinctive, and beautiful sound!
their album Plays George Gershwin's Porgy and Bess is so dang good
Gifted beyond belief. l love both John Lewises.
Indeed, both of them. Thank you for your comment. Miss Jenny
Thanks for posting this. I am starting to really discover the giants of Jazz and this oral history is so interesting to hear!
Thanks for posting . John thank for your mentor ship and meeting your f friends Arline Cunningham ,nesuhi Ertegun .i havecesoecially loved your score for Odds Against Tomorrow
@Ran Blake I would love to hear some personal experiences with Mr. Lewis. I never had the privilege of meeting him.
@@ADSwing85 met John lewis at a 1956 57 Audi on in New York to see if I Could ce considered .
He then gave six lessons to meet very clear but within what I thought were narrow boundaries. I know hat totally changed my mind 1958.
Concerned three aspects kind but unenthusiastic
I met him other summers
More warm but kept strict faculty distance. Not true of other teachers
We would discuss form a lot a special friend of J L was Arline .when she was absence at breakfast ,he kindly answered my and friends questions
Met in New York one more time when nec played concert more then twenty or more years ago
He was very pensive ,warm tomPercy ,gunther,Connie and stephanie .barber. Co director
Some may be in forthcoming bio .
John Lewis was a remarkable artist. Thank you for posting this interview.
I started actively building a collection of jazz albums in the early 20s, while I was still in college. It took me about five years to finally purchase a Modern Jazz Quartet album. I'm not sure why it took so long, because I'd listened to Milt Jackson, but I must've come across some lukewarm takes on the MJQ that steered me elsewhere. You know, people writing bullshit about their music like it's "polite" or "stuffy." Anyway, I finally purchased a CD of Fontessa at the local record store, and "Versailles" hit me like a freight train. The counterpoint is astonishing, especially when Milt Jackson is improvising; John Lewis isn't comping or accenting, he's playing a solo "underneath" Milt's--unbelievable the first time you hear it. Of course, the "Fontessa" suite is superb, and then there's the MJQ playing standard material unlike anyone else. Never had I heard such exciting, fun music with such restraint. Anyway, if you're reading this comment, and you heard some goofy opinion about John Lewis or the MJQ: don't believe it. Their music is incredible, largely driven by John's vision.
100 years in, you must have one hell of a collection now :)
25:51 Is what I always tell people who don’t “get” or “like” Jazz. And, especially those who say places like the UK produced the best music. No disrespect to England, but their rock music only copies America. And there’d be no rock without Jazz
Was the piece for Atlanta concert recorded ?
John Lewis is an icon, but i must say the audio is disgraceful.
its old