WHEN MJQ MEANS “Manhattan Jazz Quintet”
Most people think of MJQ as the Modern Jazz Quartet. Not me. For me, MJQ means The Manhattan Jazz Quintet, whose first album was released in 1984. The original line-up
of the band featured a ridiculously sick group of New York based jazz musicians:
Steve Gadd (ds), Eddie Gomez (bs), David Matthews (p), Lew Soloff (tp) and George
Young (sx).
The group was put together by Matthews, an in-demand session keyboardist, composer,
producer and arranger whose employers included James Brown and CTI Records among
many, many others.
Gadd appeared on 11 Manhattan Jazz Quintet albums between 1984 and 2008. In between
there have been multiple versions of the line-up, and other drummers in the band
have included Peter Erskine, Al Foster, and Dave Weckl (who played on the MJQ albums “Caravan,” “Face To Face,” and “Plays Blue Note,” all in the late ’80’s).
I’ve always loved Gadd’s straight ahead jazz playing, and once I heard his performances
with Chick Corea, I longed for more. But Steve’s career took a turn in a pop
direction (this is not a diss–it’s just a fact), and it seemed more and more
difficult to find him playing in this setting.
When a friend turned me onto these MJQ records, I was ecstatic. They had everything
I was looking for from Steve’s jazz drumming: aggression, finesse, extraordinary technique, a unique drum sound, a distinctive set of vocabulary, a marvelously fluid and swinging time feel, great solos, great solos, and did I mention that Steve takes great solos on these albums? I always loved how Steve seemed to have distilled Elvin Jones, Tony Williams, Philly Joe Jones and Buddy Rich into his own creative sound.
Pssst….I love the 8’s that Steve takes on “Jordu,” from the 2nd album, “Autumn Leaves,” so I’ve transcribed them. I’ll post those shortly.
Gadd’s Discography with MJQ
Below is a list of Steve Gadd’s recorded output with The Manhattan Jazz Quintet. I
am most familiar with those MJQ albums made in the ’80s, and I highly recommend
them, although I would be surprised if any Gadd fans would be disappointed with any of these.
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“Manhattan Jazz Quintet” (1984)
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“Autumn Leaves” (1985)
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“My Funny Valentine” (1985)
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“Live At The Pit Inn” (1986)
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“The Sidewinder” (1986)
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“My Favorite Things: Live in Tokyo” (1987)
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“Live!” (1987)
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“Manhattan Blues” (1990)
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“Blues March” (1994)
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“Concierto do Arenjuez” (1996) (Gadd not on all tracks)
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“VSOP” (2008)
For More Information…
For more in-depth information about The Manhattan Jazz Quintet, check out the following links:
– Wikipedia http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manhattan_Jazz_Quintet
– All Music Guide http://www.allmusic.com/artist/manhattan-jazz-quintet-p7034/biography
– David Matthews’ website http://www.davidmatthewsjazz.com/
I Want To Hear From YOU!
Do you agree with me? Do you disagree? Do you not care at all what I write? Whatever it is, please comment here on the blog or write to me and tell me what you think. Let’s talk.
He first gained attention as one of the winners of Modern Drummer magazine's very first drum solo contest, judged by Rush's Neil Peart.
He's played with Oz Noy, Will Lee, Alison Krauss, Curtis Stigers, Emily Remler, Joel Hoekstra, GE Smith, Andy York, Marshall Crenshaw, Tony Shanahan, The Drifters, The Marvelettes, Big Brother and The Holding Company, and many other artists.
For more info: onlinesessiondrummer.com
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Thanks for the info. Great stuff, clearly explained, and the pdf’s are very useful. It’s a shame the MJQuintet albums were only released in Japan.
Hey thanks for the kind words! Glad that the article was helpful. MF
PS….Tom—I know the albums are hard to find….try ebay.
I totally agree with Mr.Dupin just great.information and Thank you heres my 2 cent worth I m 70 Yrs Old I saw MJQ the Modern jazz Quartet several times with Connie Key on Drums and my ment0r private teacher Mickey Roker who also played with MJQ They performed straight ahead then went to a more advant gard a spheritcal expression of jazz.. meaning a mind Bending form of freedom jazz. And I was Thrilled when Steve Gadd Had his MJQ which I sadly mistook for the original. But Man When I saw them perform at Bitter End Just floored me Gadds Articulation and Dunamics are spellbinding I was mesmerized frozen in my seat when the played I believe when sunny gets Blue a Ballad Gadds Brushwork is something of serious study in itself clearly influenced by Buddy Richs Brush work and Ed Thigpens it left one breathless right to the last note. Fantastic.
Thanks for the kind words. And yes, I agree….Gadd floored me when I first heard these MJQ records! His playing is so beautiful and so articulate. Just wonderful.
Mark F