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Jazz Orchestras, Large Ensembles, Bigger Bands
by David Brown
This week we take a look at jazz orchestras, large ensembles and bigger bands.Playlist Thelonious Monk “Esistrophy (Theme)" from Live at the It Club-Complete (Columbia) 01:30 Jihye Lee Orchestra “Karma" from Infinite Connections (Motéma Music) 03:00 John Hollenbeck & NDR Big Band “Marimba Hocket" from Coloring Hockets (Norddeutscher Rundfunk) 10:45 Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Jazz Orchestra “Mornin' Reverend" from Monday Night (Solid State) 20:27 Thad Jones “A Good Time Was Had By All" from Thad Jones The Danish Radio ...
Continue ReadingThad Jones Centennial
by David Demsey
On March 28, 2023, the great arranger, bandleader, cornetist, and composer Thad Jones (1923-1986) would have turned 100 years old. As influential as he was during his lifetime, that influence has grown even more pervasive since his death. Thad was a Detroit native, a member of one of the “royal families" of jazz: His brothers were pianist Hank Jones, giant of the jazz scene as well as of the New York City recording studios; and drummer Elvin Jones, ...
Continue ReadingBruce Jones: Growing Up With Jazz
by La-Faithia White
The impact of living in a musical household, witnessing your dad and your uncles jamming in the basement can definitely create a positive and meaningful outlook for a young kid. Stories of growing up jazz come to mind for Bruce Jones, the eldest son of trumpeter, composer, and band leader Thad Jones. Bruce is also the nephew of pianist, arranger, composer and band leader Hank Jones, and nephew of drummer and band leader Elvin Jones. Bruce is the ...
Continue ReadingThad Jones-Mel Lewis Orchestra: Consummation – 1970
by Marc Davis
Blue Note was never home to many big bands, but the Thad Jones-Mel Lewis Orchestra recorded four albums for the label from 1967-70, and one is a certified classic. Consummation is the musical equivalent of Neapolitan ice cream--three flavors packed into one large container. The album contains three moods: soft and contemplative, sprightly and upbeat, and soulful and funky. Each gets two or three songs, and together they make a tasty treat. The record begins with ...
Continue ReadingThad Jones: The Magnificent Thad Jones
by Greg Simmons
It's all about the swing. Featured in the Count Basie Orchestra, one of the hardest swinging bands ever, Thad Jones had more swing in his little toe then most musicians will ever dream of. Even when he slowed the tempo he still swung, and his second date as a leader for Blue Note Records, The Magnificent Thad Jones, swings more at mid-tempo than almost any record I know. The rhythm on this record is a relentless pendulum: It swings left; ...
Continue ReadingThad Jones-Mel Lewis Orchestra: All My Yesterdays
by Angelo Leonardi
La Resonance Records ha appena pubblicato (in un lussuoso cofanetto di due CD più un libro di 92 pagine), le primissime incisioni della Thad Jones-Mel Lewis Orchestra, riprese al Village Vanguard il 7 febbraio e il 21 marzo 1966. Sono trascorsi 50 anni dalla nascita della formazione e, agli inizi di febbraio, lo storico club ha festeggiato l'avvenimento con una settimana di concerti della Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, che dopo il decesso dei due fondatori ne rappresenta la continuazione. ...
Continue ReadingThad Jones and Mel Lewis: All My Yesterdays: The Debut 1966 Recordings at the Village Vanguard
by C. Michael Bailey
Offering: Live at Temple University (Resonance Records, 2014), Getz/Gilberto '76 (Resonance Records, 2016), Moments in Time (Resonance Records, 2016)...and these are just the most recent (not to forget several Wes Montgomery) releases. Resonance Records steps up (again) and releases what can only be considered the apotheosis of live jazz performance, All My Yesterdays: The Debut 1966 Recordings at the Village Vanguard. Before even considering the music, there is the captured ambiance. Recorded by a then 19-year old amateur ...
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