Django (Remastered 2006 / Rudy Van Gelder)

Hailing from a trio of Modern Jazz Quartet (MJQ) sessions, Django (1955) contains some of the earliest sides that Milt Jackson(vibraphone),John Lewis(piano),Percy Heath(bass) and Kenny Clarke(drums) recorded for Prestige Records. Initially, the combo was part of Dizzy Gillespie's influential backing band and after a few minor personnel shifts, they continued as one of the more sophisticated aggregates of the post-bop era. The album commences with Lewis' sublime and serene title track "Django," dedicated to the memory of guitarist extraordinaire Django Reinhardt.