Four Classic Albums: Modern Jazz Sextet/No Sun In Venice/Grand Encounter/At The Opera House/Concert Of Contemporary Music (2008)

Allmusic over "The Modern Jazz Sextet" (1956): "Producer Norman Granz always loved jam sessions; it did not take too much insight to realize that putting trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie and altoist Sonny Stitt together would result in some explosive music. Bebop at its best." Over "Nu Sun In Venice" (1957): "Six John Lewis compositions that were used in the French film 'No Sun In Venice'. The music is quite complex and disciplined. These thought-provoking performances reward repeated listenings." Over "Grand Encounter" (1956): "This classic session is the ultimate in cool jazz. Bill Perkins' mellow tenor saxophone tone matches quite well with the quiet but inwardly passionate playing of John Lewis (p), Jim Hall (g), Percy Heath (b), and Chico Hamilton (d)." "Concert Of Conteporary Music" is een gelegenheidsconcert 'supervised by John Lewis', met o.a. Stan Getz en J.J. Johnson die zijn composities spelen; "At The Opera House" (1957) is de MJQ-helft van een split-LP met het Oscar Peterson Trio.