Django cover
Released

With their skinny ties, dark suits, and reserved demeanor, the Modern Jazz Quartet were one of the iconic ensembles of the cool jazz style, and Django is one of the most notable albums in their considerable discography. The title track is a tune written by pianist John Lewis in honor of Gypsy jazz guitarist Django Reinhardt, but its restrained, decorous style could hardly be more removed from the headlong swing of its namesake’s playing. Elsewhere, tracks like “Le Ronde Suite” and “The Queen’s Fancy” illustrate the ongoing dalliance of cool jazz with European classical music, to delightful effect.

Rick Anderson

Recommended by

Suggestions
Pastures cover

Pastures

Clay Giberson
We Free Kings cover

We Free Kings

Rahsaan Roland Kirk
Searching for the Disappeared Hour cover

Searching for the Disappeared Hour

Mary Halvorson, Sylvie Courvoisier
Green Street cover

Green Street

Grant Green
Desertico cover

Desertico

Paolo Fresu Devil Quartet
Haunted Heart cover

Haunted Heart

Charlie Haden
The News cover

The News

Andrew Cyrille Quartet
Synesthesia cover

Synesthesia

Justin Kauflin, Thomas Fonnesbæk