[.ca] Dedicated to Connie

Amazon.com essential recording:
This two-disc set was released in 1995 following the death of drummer Connie Kay, and it's a superb commemoration of the Modern Jazz Quartet at their creative peak, a 1960 concert in Ljubljana, Slovenia, from the same tour that produced the equally memorable European Concert. By 1960, the group had gelled superbly, and much of their essential, original repertoire was in place, including John Lewis's composition "Odds Against Tomorrow," the moody and profound theme from a film score, and the light, baroque-influenced pieces "Colombine" and "Pulcinella." What stands out is the acute consciousness of sound, in Kay's sparkling drumming and Percy Heath's warmly resonant bass, as well as Lewis's piano and Milt Jackson's vibraphone. There's a superb economy of means practiced by the entire band, with scarcely a superfluous note in the two hours of music heard here. The treatments of standards are as memorable as the originals. --Stuart Broomer

The MJQ at its best!:
This recording was picked by John Lewis as a dedication to their late drummer, Connie Kay, who passed away in December 1994. It remained unissued for 35 years having been recorded in Slovenia in 1960. Although the MJQ have given us considerable music for over 40 years, this recording stands out as their very best. Buy it, you won't regret it.

MJQ in top form:
In the very brief notes that accompany this album John Lewis asserts that after going over many of the MJQ's tapes that were recorded all over the world he settled for the one made in Slovenia in 1960 and that in his opinion the MJQ never played better anywhere. This is not mere hype; it is practically a statement of fact. They are in peak form on this outing with crisp, living presence sound. Intellectual jazz at its finest but don't get the idea that the album is stodgy; these gentlemen can really swing and prove it. Highly recommended to lovers of class jazz and MJQ aficionados

Fine Concert:
John Lewis has described this as one of the finest MJQ concerts ever. He probably is not wrong.

• Little Comedy/La Cantatrice/Harlequin/Fontessa
• 'Round Midnight
• Cylinder
• Bags' Groove
• Odds Against Tomorrow
• It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing)
• Social Call
• Django
• I Should Care
• How High the Moon
• Colombine/Pulcinella
• Spanish Steps
• Pyramid (Blues for Junior)
• Milt Meets Sid
• I Remember Clifford
• Vendome
• Skating in Central Park