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Western Michigan University's Keith Hall talks about jazz greats and talks with current practitioners of the art.0000017c-60f7-de77-ad7e-f3f73a350002

Jazz Currents Thad Jones

In our second “Jones Brothers” episode, we hear from trumpeter, composer, arranger and bandleader, Thad Jones.   

Born in 1923, trumpeter Thad Jones began performing as a teenager around Detroit with his brother Elvin, as well other Detroit luminaries like Tommy Flanagan and Kenny Burrell.  He eventually began to release recordings under his own name and stepped into the national spotlight when he joined the famed Count Basie Band in 1954.  During his time with Basie, Thad was featured as a soloist and contributed nearly two-dozen arrangements and compositions to the Basie repertoire.

Jones connected with drummer Mel Lewis in 1965 to form the Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Jazz Orchestra and began a New York City jazz tradition on Monday nights at the Village Vanguard that continues today.  Jones moved to Copenhagen, Denmark in the late '70's and helped to elevate the Danish Radio Big Band to one of the world's greatest.  Thad Jones soon became a household name in Copenhagen and passed away there in 1986.  Our third episode will feature the youngest Jones, drummer Elvin, stay tuned!

Music in this episode:

Nice and Nasty (Thad Jones) from The Jones Brothers Keepin' Up With The Joneses

Billie-Doo (Thad Jones) from Thad Jones The Magnificent Thad Jones

Elusive (Thad Jones) from Thad Jones The Fabulous Thad Jones

April In Paris (Vernon Duke and E.Y. Harburg) from Count BasieApril In Paris

To You (Thad Jones) from Count Basie/Duke Ellington First Time! Basie Meets Duke

No Refill (Thad Jones) from Thad Jones Motor City Scene

Groove Merchant (Jerome Richardson) from Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Jazz Orchestra Central Park North

Tip Toe (Thad Jones) from Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Jazz Orchestra Consummation

The Farewell (Thad Jones) from Danish Radio Big Band Live at Montmartre, Copenhagen

Basically Yours (Thad Jones) from Thad Jones Eclipse

Mean What You Say (Thad Jones) from Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Jazz Orchestra Presenting the Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Jazz Orchestra