John Lewis is the legendary leader of the
Modern Jazz Quartet (aka MJQ), for which he was the primary composer and musical director. He died at the age of 80 in the year
2001, of complications arising from
prostate cancer.
The African American Lewis distinguished himself with his more than 60 year career in jazz. He innovated the synergy of jazz and classical music discipline to create the distinctive and enduring MJQ sound. His mission to take jazz from the back-room bars to the fine concert halls of the world was supported by his insistence that all members of the quartet dress well, in tuxedoes.
He is the composer of several noted jazz standards, including Django, and Two Degrees East, Three Degrees West.