Odds Against Tomorrow Original Soundtrack by John Lewis

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Odds Against Tomorrow is a 1959 film noir produced and directed by Robert Wise and starring Harry Belafonte. He selected Abraham Polonsky to write the script, which is based on a novel of the same name by William P. McGivern. Blacklisted in those years, Polonsky had to use a front and John O. Killens was credited. Polonsky’s screenwriting credit was restored in 1996 in his own name. The film score was composed, arranged and conducted by John Lewis of the Modern Jazz Quartet.

To realize his score, Lewis assembled a 22-piece orchestra, which included MJQ bandmates Milt Jackson on vibraphone, Percy Heath on bass and Connie Kay on drums, as well as Bill Evans on piano, and Jim Hall on guitar. Allmusic’s Bruce Eder noted, “This superb jazz score by John Lewis was later turned into a hit by The Modern Jazz Quartet. It’s dark and dynamic, and a classic”. The Modern Jazz Quartet’s album of Lewis’ themes; Music from Odds Against Tomorrow was recorded in October 1959. The track “Skating in Central Park” became a permanent part of the MJQ’s repertoire. It was also reused for a similar scene in the 1971 film Little Murders.

Playlists

• Prelude To Odds Against Tomorrow
  A Cold Wind Is Blowing
  Five Figure People Crossing Paths
  How To Frame Pigeons
  Morning Trip To Melton
  Looking At The Caper
  Jonny Ingram's Possessions
  The Carousel Incident
  Skating In Central Park
  No Happiness For Slater
  Main Theme: Odds Against Tomorrow
  Games
  Social Call
  The Impractical Man
  Advance On Melton
  Waiting Around The River
  Distractions
  The Caper Failure
  Pastlude

Specifications

• Number of Discs:
  1
• Runtime:
  46:56