The Russian Jazz Quartet

New Yorkers Roger Kellaway and Grady Tate also performed in the ensemble.

[1] Midney formed a jazz quartet whilst studying classical music in the Soviet Union.

They were sponsored by American Friends of Russian Freedom, a CIA-linked organisation for Soviet defectors, who found them a manager in New York.

[3] Midney explained that he left the Soviet Union due to censorship of the arts and the suppression of jazz.

"[1] Midney proceeded to have success in the United States as a producer, composer and conductor.