The first musical performance in the new Tyrone Guthrie Theatre was held on May 27, 1963, by the Modern Jazz Quartet. It was billed as part of the Walker Art Center’s 10th Annual Summer Jazz series, given that the original series started in 1953 (see above).

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The Modern Jazz Quartet started in 1951 as four members of Dizzy Gillespie’s band, strictly to give Gillespie a break during performances. The members performing in 1963 were leader John Lewis on piano, Milt Jackson on vibraharp, Percy Heath on bass, and Connie Kay on drums. They wore formal cutaway coats on stage, and leader Lewis had two degrees at the Manhattan School of Music.