RIP: Jazz Pianist John Lewis Dies at 80

John Lewis, a founding member of one of the most famous ensembles in jazz, the Modern Jazz Quartet, died in Manhattan on Thursday, March 29. He was 80.

The M.J.Q. was a leading concert attraction from the mid-1950s to the late ’90s. The quartet made its first recordings in 1952, gave its first public performance the next year, and except for a seven-year layoff, remained consistent both in terms of personnel and signature style.

The group made its first albums in 1952 as the Milt Jackson Quartet, with Jackson on vibes, Lewis on piano, Percy Heath on bass, and Kenny Clarke on drums. When Clarke moved to Paris in 1955, Connie Kay replaced him. Kay died in 1994, and was replaced by Percy Heath’s younger brother Albert the following year. The quartet retired for good a few years later when Percy Heath decided he no longer wanted to tour. Milt Jackson passed away in 1999.

Lewis contributed the bulk of the group’s compositions and arrangements, including Django and Two Degrees East, Three Degrees West. He insisted members wear tuxedos to dignify jazz as an art, and he worked to secure as many concert hall bookings as possible.

Lewis also wrote music for symphony orchestras and chamber ensembles, and the scores for several movies, most notably No Sun in Venice and Odds Against Tomorrow.
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