Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » NYJAZZ Initiative: Mad About Thad

274

NYJAZZ Initiative: Mad About Thad

By

Sign in to view read count
Before moving to Copenhagen, Denmark in 1978, iconic jazz trumpeter Thad Jones was an established New York City jazz legend best known for his co-leadership of the Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra, which enjoyed a twelve-year residency at the renowned Village Vanguard. Mad About Thad is the debut from the NYJAZZ Initiative—a non-profit organization founded in 2008 to promote an appreciation of jazz through education and regular performances—celebrating Jones' music and keeping it alive for new audiences to enjoy.

Led by NYJAZZ Artistic Director Rob Derke—who provides the arrangements and new orchestration of some of Jones' most beautiful compositions—the band features a ten-piece light ensemble comprised of the finest musicians from New York's exciting jazz scene among them, pianist Art Hirahara, tenor master Ralph Lalama and altoist Steve Wilson.

Of Course, what would a tribute album about Jones be without a brilliant take on his most famous composition, "A Child Is Born," with spectacular solo performances from tenorist Derke and trumpeter David Smith. "Quiet Lady" is anything but, as Derke's arrangement brings out the lively voices of tenor, trombone and piano, while the very harmonic "Lady Luck" presents the best of the big band sound, with Lalama, Wilson and Smith teeing off on gritty solos.

The eight-piece set list includes the bop classic "Mean What You Say" and a couple of better-known Jones standards like "Three And One" and "Evol Deklaw Ni." The ambitious "Elusive" closes out the set without touching on such classics as "Central Park North" or "Groove Merchant" but, regardless ,completes a fine tribute to a legend whose music is timeless.

There are plenty of sane moments on Mad About Thad, a well-deserved tribute to a giant of jazz presented by the impressive NYJAZZ Initiative ensemble. Director Derke keeps the Jones legacy relative to today's modern mainstream jazz with creative new arrangements, well-presented by a stellar group of players.

Track Listing

Bird Song; Quiet Lady; Mean What You Say; A Child Is Born; Lady Luck; Three And One; Evol Deklaw Ni; Elusive.

Personnel

Rob Derke: tenor saxophone, soprano saxophone; Ralph Lalama; Steve Wilson: alto saxophone; David Smith: trumpet, flugelhorn; Sam Burtis: trombone, tuba; Mark Meyers: trombone (1); Art Hirahara: piano (1, 5, 6); David Bryant: piano (2-4, 7, 8); Carlo De Rosa: bass; Eric McPherson: drums.

Album information

Title: Mad About Thad | Year Released: 2011 | Record Label: Jazzheads

Comments

Tags


For the Love of Jazz
Get the Jazz Near You newsletter All About Jazz has been a pillar of jazz since 1995, championing it as an art form and, more importantly, supporting the musicians who create it. Our enduring commitment has made "AAJ" one of the most culturally important websites of its kind, read by hundreds of thousands of fans, musicians and industry figures every month.

You Can Help
To expand our coverage even further and develop new means to foster jazz discovery and connectivity we need your help. You can become a sustaining member for a modest $20 and in return, we'll immediately hide those pesky ads plus provide access to future articles for a full year. This winning combination will vastly improve your AAJ experience and allow us to vigorously build on the pioneering work we first started in 1995. So enjoy an ad-free AAJ experience and help us remain a positive beacon for jazz by making a donation today.

More

Love Is Passing Thru
Roberto Magris
Sensual
Rachel Z
Over and Over
Tony Monaco Trio

Popular

Get more of a good thing!

Our weekly newsletter highlights our top stories, our special offers, and upcoming jazz events near you.