NEW YORK (AP) — John Lewis, a pianist who masterminded one of the most famous ensembles in jazz, the Modern Jazz Quartet, died on Thursday. He was 80.
The M.J.Q., as it was popularly known, remained virtually unchanged from the mid-1950s to the late 90s.
The group began recording in 1952 with Lewis, vibraphonist Milt Jackson, bassist Percy Heath and drummer Kenny Clarke. When Clarke moved to Paris in 1955, Connie Kay replaced him and the quartet continued until Kay's death in 1994.