Martin Bookspan interviews jazz composer and pianist John Lewis. Lewis talks about his background as a musician, about his motivation, career and life. He discusses the beginnig of the Modern Jazz Quartet, creator and musical director of which he has been since it became a permanent group in 1951, and was formally incorporated in 1952. He talks about his work with Dizzy Gillespie and other jazzmen. He also reminiscences about his years in Paris. He speaks about his music written for films such as Odds against tomorrow (1959). At the end of the interview he talks about his plans for the future. During the interview excerpts from his Three little feelings (Second movement), Vendôme, from the film Odds against tomorrow, In memoriam, and Midsömmer (1957) are played.
Repository/Collector:
New York Public Library for the Performing Arts, Dorothy and Lewis B. Cullman Center
Repository/Collector Type:
Municipal
City:
New York
State:
New York
Country:
United States
Extent:
1 recording
Content types:
Sounds
Historical relevance:
Broadcast on radio station WNYC, New York, N.Y., Mar. 14, 1973.