New York Jazz Quartet

The original NY Jazz Quartet was founded by pianist Roland Hanna in the first ’70s and contains flutist Hubert Laws and regulations, bassist Ron Carter, and drummer Billy Cobham. That one group went nowhere, however in 1974, Hanna got better luck using a lineup of flutist Frank Wess, bassist Carter (ultimately changed by George Mraz), and drummer Ben Riley; Richard Pratt and Grady Tate occasionally subbed for Riley. The straight-ahead music group (which lasted in to the early ’80s) tended to emphasize originals and documented for japan Salvation label, Enja, Sonet, and Beehive (1981).