Pianist John Lewis was a founding member of Modern Jazz Quartet and a key figure in third stream, where jazz collided with classical influences. But from the ‘50s until his death in 2001 he also forged a brilliant solo career, toggling between bluesy swing and the contrapuntal rigor of Bach. There's chamber-like intimacy in his early work as a leader, bridging East and West Coast jazz sensibilities on “2 Degrees East - 3 Degrees West,” while he delivered his attack with percussive austerity on “Harlequin.” He also fostered ties with European players, revealing a simpatico fit with German trombonist Albert Mangelsdorff on “Animal Dance.”