I am very glad you have highlighted Thad as a player. So often in jazz, when folks who have a great talent for writing are often over looked as players. Benny Carter, Gerry Mulligan, Al Cohn, Benny Golson and J.J. Johnson also come to mind. Thad was always a very interesting soloist, who never went from point A to B to C. He always took an alternative route. The great Chicago disc jockey, Dick Buckley, told me a wonderful anecdote about Thad. He often sat with him in clubs when a band was performing on stage, and Thad would play obbligato on his cornet at the table. Dick said he never heard any better trumpet playing. In the one year that Thad led the Basie band, he also brought in another neglected soloist, Johnny Coles, who was a favorite of Gil Evans when not working with Miles.
As good as this album is, it was not Thad's "first quartet recording in 30 years." In fact, the Thad Jones-Mel Lewis Quartet with Harold Danko and Rufus Reid recorded an album in Miami in September 1977. This quartet (with Danko and either Reid or Chip Jackson) did a number of live gigs during this period. I.heard them for two nights at Blues Alley in Washington, DC, and they were stunning.
I'll add the Japanese release "You Made Me Love You" recorded 1975, featuring Gregory Herbert, George Mraz, and Mel. Very hard to find, but some nice stuff, and always a treat to hear more Gregory Herbert.
This is indeed a rare item--Harold Danko played it for me almost 50 years ago.
It was recorded during the Jones-Lewis big band's 1975 tour of Japan, and it's one of a few examples of Gregory Herbert's (1947-1978) playing in a small group. Gregory's early death was a great loss of a terrific player.
I’ve had the CD since the mid-90s, when it was first released and I don't think I've listened to it since then. But thanks to your post today, I just listened to the CD, and I was thrilled.
I'm a great fan of the Big Band arrangements of Thad Jones and that’s why I have all the official recordings by the Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Band (at least hope so 🙂). One of my favorite live recordings is from Norway in 1974. Here it is... enjoy!
I am very glad you have highlighted Thad as a player. So often in jazz, when folks who have a great talent for writing are often over looked as players. Benny Carter, Gerry Mulligan, Al Cohn, Benny Golson and J.J. Johnson also come to mind. Thad was always a very interesting soloist, who never went from point A to B to C. He always took an alternative route. The great Chicago disc jockey, Dick Buckley, told me a wonderful anecdote about Thad. He often sat with him in clubs when a band was performing on stage, and Thad would play obbligato on his cornet at the table. Dick said he never heard any better trumpet playing. In the one year that Thad led the Basie band, he also brought in another neglected soloist, Johnny Coles, who was a favorite of Gil Evans when not working with Miles.
As good as this album is, it was not Thad's "first quartet recording in 30 years." In fact, the Thad Jones-Mel Lewis Quartet with Harold Danko and Rufus Reid recorded an album in Miami in September 1977. This quartet (with Danko and either Reid or Chip Jackson) did a number of live gigs during this period. I.heard them for two nights at Blues Alley in Washington, DC, and they were stunning.
Thanks Bill. I’ve adjusted.
I'll add the Japanese release "You Made Me Love You" recorded 1975, featuring Gregory Herbert, George Mraz, and Mel. Very hard to find, but some nice stuff, and always a treat to hear more Gregory Herbert.
This is indeed a rare item--Harold Danko played it for me almost 50 years ago.
It was recorded during the Jones-Lewis big band's 1975 tour of Japan, and it's one of a few examples of Gregory Herbert's (1947-1978) playing in a small group. Gregory's early death was a great loss of a terrific player.
Jazz Brothers dont get into fights onstage and cause their groups to break up like rock n roll brothers are wont to do 😊
Thanks as ever!
I once gave Hank Jones a cab ride. As I am a drummer I asked him about drummers; he praised his brother and Dennis Mackrel.
He also told me his sister was the most talented of all the siblings. She died at 12 falling through the ice on a pond in Pontiac.
I’ve had the CD since the mid-90s, when it was first released and I don't think I've listened to it since then. But thanks to your post today, I just listened to the CD, and I was thrilled.
I'm a great fan of the Big Band arrangements of Thad Jones and that’s why I have all the official recordings by the Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Band (at least hope so 🙂). One of my favorite live recordings is from Norway in 1974. Here it is... enjoy!
https://youtu.be/5JyuHGUdtro?si=RfDTxk1Uu1qq0Leh