Description

The Modern Jazz Quartet – Reunion At Budokan 1981 – Cassette Tape

Reunion at Budokan 1981 is a live album by The Modern Jazz Quartet (MJQ), recorded during their performance at the Nippon Budokan arena in Tokyo, Japan, in 1981. The Modern Jazz Quartet was a highly influential and long-standing jazz ensemble known for their innovative approach to jazz music.

After a seven-year vacation, The Modern Jazz Quartet came back together in 1981 for a special reunion that ended up beginning another 14 plus years of playing together on at least a part-time basis.

This live album captures the MJQ’s performance during their reunion tour, featuring original members John Lewis on piano, Milt Jackson on vibraphone, Percy Heath on bass, and Connie Kay on drums. The MJQ was known for their signature blend of cool jazz, classical influences, and chamber music elements.

The album includes a selection of jazz standards, original compositions, and improvisational pieces that showcase the quartet’s exceptional musicianship and their ability to create intricate, emotionally rich jazz music.

It is somehow fitting that on this Pablo cassette, which has music taken from a Japanese concert, seven of the eight selections. All but John Lewiss’ ‘Odds Against Tomorrow’ were remakes of songs that The MJQ had played in 1974 at their Last Concert. The revivals of ‘Softly as in a Morning Sunrise’ and the group’s two biggest ‘hits,’ ‘Bags’ Groove’ and ‘Django’ are among the highlights of this excellent release.

Reunion at Budokan 1981 is appreciated by fans of jazz for its nostalgic value, as it marks a reunion of the original MJQ members and provides a glimpse into their timeless and refined approach to jazz performance.

Pablo Records

Song List
1. Introduction
2. Softly As In A Morning Sunrise
3. The Cylinder
4. Really True Blues
5. The Golden Striker
6. Odds Against Tomorrow
7. The Jasmine Tree
8. Bag’s Groove
9. DJango