The Modern Jazz Quartet(piano,bass,drums,mallet percussion) was together as an ensemble for almost thirty years.(They broke up when one of them died.) They got so good that people thought they were playing prearranged stuff when they were actually improvising.
MJQ is salon style jazz at its finest. I would start with one of their compilation albums and then get specific albums from the time(s) that appeals to you.
MJQ is salon style jazz at its finest. I would start with one of their compilation albums and then get specific albums from the time(s) that appeals to you.