Thad Jones

Biography

A harmonically advanced trumpeter/cornetist with a unique sound, and a talented arranger/composer, Thad Jones (younger sibling of Hank and older sibling of Elvin) had an extremely productive profession. Self-taught on trumpet, he began playing skillfully with Hank Jones and Sonny Stitt when he was 16. After portion in the armed forces (1943-1946), Jones proved helpful in territory rings within the Midwest. During 1950-1953 he performed frequently with Billy Mitchell’s quintet in Detroit and he produced several recordings with Charles Mingus (1954-1955). Jones became well-known during his longer period (1954-1963) with Count number Basie’s Orchestra, going for a “Pop Runs the Weasel” chorus on “Apr in Paris,” and writing solo responsibilities with Joe Newman. While with Basie, Jones acquired the opportunity to create some agreements and he became a active freelance article writer after 1963. He became a member of the personnel of CBS, co-led a quintet with Pepper Adams, and close to the end of 1965, arranged a big music group with drummer Mel Lewis that from Feb 1966 on, performed Monday nights on the Community Vanguard. Through the following 10 years the orchestra (although generally a part-time affair) became well-known and provided Jones an electric outlet for his composing. He constructed one regular (“A KID EXISTS”) alongside many fine parts including “Fingertips,” “Small Pixie,” and “Tiptoe.” One of the sidemen within the Thad Jones-Mel Lewis Orchestra (which began as an all-star group and down the road featured youthful players) had been trumpeters Costs Berry, Danny Stiles, Richard Williams, Marvin Stamm, Snooky Youthful, and Jon Faddis, trombonists Bob Brookmeyer, Jimmy Knepper, and Quentin Jackson, the reeds of Jerome Richardson, Jerry Dodgion, Eddie Daniels, Joe Farrell, Pepper Adams, and Billy Harper, pianists Hank Jones and Roland Hanna, and bassists Richard Davis and George Mraz. In 1978, Jones amazed Lewis by instantly leaving the music group and shifting to Denmark, an actions he never described. He wrote for the radio orchestra and led his very own group known as Eclipse. In past due 1984 Jones overran the leadership from the Count number Basie Orchestra but in just a yr bad health pressured him to retire. Thad Jones documented as a innovator for Debut (1954-1955), Blue Notice, Period, United Performers, Roulette, Milestone, Solid Condition, Artists Home, A&M, Metronome, and several from the Thad Jones-Mel Lewis Orchestra’s greatest recordings have already been reissued on the five-CD Mosaic package set.

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