In Memoriam is an album by American jazz group the Modern Jazz Quartet recorded in 1973 and released on the Little David label.[3]

In Memoriam
Studio album by Modern Jazz Quartet
Released	1974
Recorded	November 5 & 6, 1973 CBS Studios, New York City
Genre	Jazz
Length	33:51
Label	Little David LD 3001
Producer	John Lewis and Teo Macero
Modern Jazz Quartet chronology
The Legendary Profile (1972) In Memoriam (1974) Blues on Bach (1973)
Milt Jackson chronology
Goodbye (1973) In Memoriam (1973) Blues on Bach (1973)

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
Allmusic	[1]
The Rolling Stone Jazz Record Guide	[2]

Background

On the Album In Memoriam, recorded a year before the start of their hiatus, the Modern Jazz Quartet was accompanied by an orchestra conducted by Maurice Peress. Pianist John Lewis wrote the title composition in tribute to Walter Keller, his piano teacher at the University of New Mexico. He composed "Jazz Ostinato" around 1960 during the third stream era ; it is based on three ostinato figures, the third of which he said was originally conceived as backing "for an Ornette Coleman – Eric Dolphy approach". Furthermore, the piece contains homages to Arnold Schoenberg and Igor Stravinsky, prompting Lewis to comment that it "also plays a part in the memorium". The group had previously recorded the adagio from "Concierto de Aranjuez" with the guitarist Laurindo Almeida on their 1964 album Collaboration.[4][5][6]

Reception

The Allmusic review stated "despite some stimulating moments, the music is often quite dry. It's one of the classic group's lesser releases".[1]

Track listing

All compositions by John Lewis except as indicated

1. "In Memoriam – First Movement" – 8:40
2. "In Memoriam – Second Movement" 9:03
3. "Jazz Ostinato" – 6:19
4. "Adagio from the Guitar Concerto: Concerto de Aranjuez" (Joaquín Rodrigo) – 9:49

Personnel

• Milt Jackson – vibraphone
• John Lewis – piano
• Percy Heath – bass
• Connie Kay – drums
• Unnamed orchestra conducted by Maurice Peress
• Stanley Tonkel – recording engineer
• Gene Paul, John Lewis – re-mix engineers
• Edd Kolakowski – Steinway piano technician

References