Although Milt Jackson, John Lewis and Kenny Clarke had been playing together since the mid-'40s as the rhythm section for the legendary Dizzy Gillespie Orchestra, it was not until 1951, with the addition of Percy Heath, that they became the Modern Jazz Quartet. Although they were very popular, experimenting with many styles, including bebop and Cool Jazz, they became perhaps best known for their formal presentation (in tuxedo) and choice of venues (concert halls), in a self-professed attempt to make jazz serious, like classical music. This collection of recordings from 1954-55 completes the enhanced version of their first 10" and offers an exemplary overview of the combo's beginnings.

Modern Jazz Quartet 2: 1954-1955 Track Listing

1. La Ronde Suite
2. One Bass Hit
3. Ralph’s New Blues
4. All Of You Side 5
5. I’ll Remember April
6. Gershwin Medley/Soon/For You, For Me/Forevermore/Love Walked In/Our Love Is Here To Stay
7. Concorde
8. Softly, As In A Morning Sunrise