We’re at LEGO Ideas set #42 already!?!?!?! What?!?!?! When did that happen?
This is #21334-1: Jazz Quartet. It was released on 29 June 2022 in the US for $99.99. The set contains 1,606 pieces which works out to $0.062 per piece. This set is very different from any other we’ve seen. I don’t think we’ve had a set with figures that look like this ever (or at least that I can recall) and the jazz/music theme is something out of the ordinary from what we usually see. Let’s dig into this set…
The box has a fun design with the 18+ banner and then a cool looking neon light style title in the top left corner of the front of the set. Then it shows the set and it looks like there’s a spot light on the them as if they are performing. The back shows how you can break apart the stage to re-arrange how the figures are positioned. The back also shows the dimensions and how the set looks in an actual room.
The set contains 11 numbered parts bags and two 16x16 black plates. The instructions are in a cardboard envelope for protection which is great as you can recycle the envelope and the instructions aren’t bent. There are five booklets in the envelope. The first one describes the set, talks about the fan designer, and gives information about the LEGO designers. The remaining booklets build each figure from the set and the figure is pictured on the front of each booklet.
The first bag assembles the start of the trumpet player. The build is fairly similar for each of the parts of the stage. The top uses a mixture of tiles and tiles with studs. There is also a slot for where the trumpet playing figure will be attached. I like how the edges of the stage are made of black and there are curves without studs. Also, the step down is cool to mimic a real stage.
The second bag assembles the trumpet playing figure. Initially, it doesn’t make sense what you’re building, but then as you put it together you realize what is a leg, arm, head piece, etc. The details are great with the suspenders, tile for a tie, jumper plate as the mouth as if he is blowing out into the trumpet, and the use of sloped pieces for the hair to show his hair style. The trumpet is a pretty simple assembly, but it looks pretty realistic for a brick built version.
Bag three builds the small section of stage that the bass player is on and then the bass player himself. The figure is great with the bow tie and slick hairdo. The ball and joint pieces are gray so they look a bit out of place, but I don’t think they completely detract from the figure. The slicked up hair above the forehead is great, but the open studs on top look a little off. I’m not sure of the right way to fix that? Maybe a reverse stud tile piece? I’m not sure they even make a 1x2 version of a reverse stud tile like that.
The fourth bag builds the bass itself. I think the designers did a great job recreating the shape using existing pieces in the LEGO world. The curves look great and even the S shaped pieces to show the holes where the sound comes out (okay, I don’t know the technical names of everything… sorry) looks awesome. The minor issues of the open studs and gray ball joints don’t really stand out when you put the full set together.
The fifth bag assembles the stage for the drummer. It’s a much larger section of stage, but still follows the same pattern and style as the other sections. Instead of the drummer being attached to the stage, you connect him via studs on the stage. This part was a little tricky to follow as I had to make sure I put tiles and jumper plates in the right spots. It matters as you need the drum set, seat, and drummer to fit on the stage.
The sixth bag assembles the drum set without the cymbals or high hat. The base drum has a pedal to play it and gets the round shape well to include allowing it to hold up the tom-toms. The tom-toms, snare, and the… I’m not sure what it’s called, are all round with the use of round bricks, plates, and tiles. The shapes of everything match what a drum set would look like quite well in my opinion. It’s not a large drum set with all kinds of extra drums, but it does the trick. You also build some stands which will hold up the cymbals.
Bag seven adds the cymbals. They are gold in color and look pretty accurate. I like how they did the high hat. It looks like you could actually hit the pedal to make it work and they use the cymbals in opposite directions to create the looks of a high hat.
The drummer looks pretty swank. The hat is simple, but gives him a cool look and the beard and bow tie add to it. Interestingly enough, none of the figures have eyes, but it doesn’t seem to matter with how these are built. The pants are gray so the connectors for the legs to the torso don’t stand out, but the shoulder sockets are gray. Not too big of a deal in my opinion. I’m a big fan of the drummer!
Bag eight builds the stage for the piano and piano player. I again had to pay attention to where the jumper plates and plates with studs on them went as it helps to make sure the piano and seat attach to the stage.
Bags nine and ten build the piano. It’s almost like a mini version of #21323-1: Grand Piano. I appreciated how the large one kept the shape of a grand piano and this one does the same only at a smaller scale. The piano isn’t as smooth as the larger Ideas set, but the outer edge is smooth. I like how the keyboard is printed tiles and you can still see the keys. The bench/seat looks like it belongs to a piano and the reddish colored tiles on top help to give it the look of a cushion.
Bag 11 builds the piano player and I think this design is awesome. Everything from the big poufy hair and the yellow headband to the yellow dress and heels really make her look like quite the soulful pianist. I also like the use of the gold rings as earrings. The way she’s built, she fits on the seat well and looks like she’s jamming away on the piano.
Here’s the final assembled set. In just looking at it, it looks like they are jamming away on stage. There isn’t any actual movement, but the poses really do add life to the set. I’m a big fan of this set and can’t wait until I have a place where I can display it. At $100 and over 1,000 pieces, the price works out pretty good for what you get. Plus there are no stickers and a few printed elements. If you don’t like the set, you get a bunch of great pieces for MOCs.
From my viewing of the fan media, this one came and then left the spotlight quickly which is too bad. I hope you enjoy it if you get to build it. Maybe we’ll see LEGO do more like these someday. What are your thoughts? Am I too positive on this one? Is it not as great as I make it out to be? Let me know what you think in the comments.
Happy building!
