Is For Ellington a good place to start with Modern Jazz Quartet?

Yes, For Ellington is recommended as a starting point for new Modern Jazz Quartet listeners. A sophisticated blend of cool jazz harmonies and intricate rhythms paying tribute to Duke Ellington's legacy. For Ellington marks the Modern Jazz Quartet's return to the studio after a seven-year hiatus, following their previous album, Space. Released in 1988, this album reflects the group's matured sound and deep appreciation for Ellington's work, showcasing their evolution as both musicians and interpreters within the jazz genre.

Who is For Ellington for?

For Ellington works well if you're into steady mid-tempo listening experience, elegant melodies for relaxation and intricate improvisation detail hunting.

How many songs are on For Ellington?

For Ellington has 8 tracks, running approximately 47 minutes.

For Ellington

Modern Jazz Quartet · 1988

47 min · 8 tracks · cool jazz

A sophisticated blend of cool jazz harmonies and intricate rhythms paying tribute to Duke Ellington's legacy.

Spotify Apple Music

YouTube Music YouTube Deezer Bandcamp SoundCloud

Own it: Amazon eBay

Top tracks — play these first

→
For Ellington Start here — The title track serves as a heartfelt homage to Ellington, blending rich melodies with complex arrangements that encapsulate the spirit of his compositions.
→
Prelude to a Kiss — This interpretation infuses a classic standard with fresh energy, highlighting the quartet's ability to breathe new life into established works while maintaining emotional depth.
→
It Don't Mean a Thing — The ensemble's take on this Ellington classic showcases their tight interplay and rhythmic sophistication, making it a standout example of their signature style.
→
Rockin' in Rhythm — This track exemplifies the group's knack for blending swing with intricate melodic lines, capturing the joyous essence of Ellington’s music.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

Instrumental

67 /100

Alpine

Higher than 91% of albums we've rated

The album showcases sophisticated arrangements and strong musicianship, paying homage to Ellington while standing out in the cool jazz genre.

What we noticed

The album opens with a title track that establishes a reflective mood, followed by pieces that vary in tempo and complexity.
Several tracks incorporate Ellington's original compositions, reinterpreted with modern jazz sensibilities while maintaining their essence.

Composition 25% of the score: 8/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 7/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 6/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

steady mid-tempo listening experience
elegant melodies for relaxation
intricate improvisation detail hunting
sophisticated ambiance for gatherings

Maybe skip if you

seeking high-energy excitement
prefer short, standalone tracks

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Critical Peak — Reflects a matured sound and pays tribute to an iconic figure in jazz.
Themes: Duke Ellington tribute· sophisticated jazz harmonies
Career context: For Ellington marks the Modern Jazz Quartet's return to the studio after a seven-year hiatus, following their previous album, Space. Released in 1988, this album reflects the group's matured sound and deep appreciation for Ellington's work, showcasing their evolution as both musicians and interpreters within the jazz genre.
Stylistic neighbors: Bill Evans· Dave Brubeck· Gerry Mulligan