John Lewis - P.O.V (2025) [Hi-Res]

Review by Scott Yanow

This LP is one of pianist John Lewis' most obscure sessions. Recorded shortly after the Modern Jazz Quartet temporarily broke up, Lewis' set utilizes a jazz rhythm section (with bassist Richard Davis and drummer Mel Lewis) and on some of Lewis' six originals three nonimprovising classical musicians (flutist Harold Jones, violinist Gerald Tarack and cellist Fortunato Arico). The moody yet swinging pieces display Lewis' interests in bop, cool jazz, classical music and the mixture of the idioms known as third stream. None of the originals became standards but, listened to as a whole, they form a pleasing set of music.