John Lewis took the art of the chamber jazz group to a new level with the creation of the Quartet in the mid fifties. Subtly blending the discipline of European Classical music with pulsating swing to it's library of distinctive originals the MJQ effectively restored collective improvisation to jazz behind the superb contrapuntal partnership of Lewis and Jackson.
The combo soon achieved international status and was able to tour the world at will. These twelve tracks were recorded on tour in Europe in spring of 1960 . It shows the Quartet at it's relaxed and creative peak . The band is the regular group of John Lewis(piano) Milt Jackson (vibes),Percy Heath (bass),Connie Kay (drums).