The Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Jazz Orchestra was a jazz big band formed by trumpeter Thad Jones and drummer Mel Lewis in New York in 1965.[1] The band performed for twelve years in its original incarnation, including a 1972 tour of the Soviet Union during the height of the Cold War. The collaboration ended in 1978 with Jones suddenly moving to Copenhagen, Denmark, after which the band became the Mel Lewis Jazz Orchestra. Since the death of Lewis in 1990 it has been known as the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra. They have maintained a Monday-night residency at the Village Vanguard jazz club in New York for five decades.[2] The band won Grammy Awards for the album Live in Munich in 1978 and for the album Monday Night Live at the Village Vanguard in 2009.
Thad Jones professionally played two instruments, the trumpet and cornet. His older brother was Hank Jones, a jazz pianist, and his younger brother was Elvin Jones, a jazz drummer. Thad Jones had worked as a professional since he was 16, when he played with Hank. After leaving the military in 1946, he performed with territory bands and later with Charles Mingus. From 1954–1963, he was a member of the Count Basie Orchestra, for whom he composed and arranged.[3]
Mel Lewis, a jazz drummer, had been playing in big bands since he was 15, first with Boyd Raeburn, then Alvino Rey, Stan Kenton, Terry Gibbs, and Gerald Wilson. In 1961, he toured the Soviet Union with veteran big band leader Benny Goodman.[4] After Lewis moved to New York City, he met Thad Jones and started the Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra at the end of 1965. Beginning in February 1966, the band played every Monday night at the Village Vanguard.[3] Since Lewis's death in 1990, the band has been called the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, continuing its tradition as the Village Vanguard's house band.
The Thad Jones-Mel Lewis Orchestra was arguably[weasel words] the most influential big band since the swing era. Lewis brought a loose, small group style of drumming into the structure of a big band. His cymbal work became a hallmark of the Jones/Lewis Orchestra. Jones's arrangements influenced later, large-ensemble composers, such as Maria Schneider, Bob Brookmeyer, Jim McNeely, and Bob Mintzer. The Jones/Lewis Orchestra was an unusual band, creating new styles, succeeding in an era when big bands were unpopular and remaining integrated during racially tense periods.[2]
All My Yesterdays (recorded 1966, released Resonance, 2016) - Live recording including the band's first performance (Monday, Feb. 7, 1966 at the Village Vanguard)
Play the Compositions of Herbie Hancock (Live in Montreux) (MPS 1980; Pausa, 1982)
Bob Brookmeyer - Composer/Arranger (Recorded in Concert at the Village Vanguard, February 1980 (Gryphon, 1980)
Make Me Smile & Other New Works by Bob Brookmeyer (aka Mel Lewis and the Jazz Orchestra...Featuring the Music of Bob Brookmeyer) [live] (Finesse/CBS, 1982; Red Baron/CBS, 1993)
50 Years at the Village Vanguard: Thad Jones, Mel Lewis and the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra
November 30, 2023
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The Thad Jones Mel Lewis Jazz Orchestra was a jazz big band formed by trumpeter Thad Jones and drummer Mel Lewis in New York in 1965 1 The band performed for twelve years in its original incarnation including a 1972 tour of the Soviet Union during the height of the Cold War The collaboration ended in 1978 with Jones suddenly moving to Copenhagen Denmark after which the band became the Mel Lewis Jazz Orchestra Since the death of Lewis in 1990 it has been known as the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra They have maintained a Monday night residency at the Village Vanguard jazz club in New York for five decades 2 The band won Grammy Awards for the album Live in Munich in 1978 and for the album Monday Night Live at the Village Vanguard in 2009 Thad Jones Mel Lewis Vanguard Jazz OrchestraOriginNew York CityGenresJazzYears active1965 1978 original line 1978 1990 Mel Lewis Jazz Orchestra since 1990 Vanguard Jazz Orchestra LabelsSolid State RCA A amp M Pausa Telarc Atlantic New World Planet Arts ResonanceWebsitewww wbr vanguardjazzorchestra wbr com Contents 1 History 2 Awards and honors 2 1 Grammy Awards 2 2 From DownBeat 3 Discography 3 1 The Thad Jones Mel Lewis Orchestra 3 2 The Mel Lewis Jazz Orchestra 3 3 The Vanguard Jazz Orchestra 4 Alumni 5 References 6 External linksHistory editThad Jones professionally played two instruments the trumpet and cornet His older brother was Hank Jones a jazz pianist and his younger brother was Elvin Jones a jazz drummer Thad Jones had worked as a professional since he was 16 when he played with Hank After leaving the military in 1946 he performed with territory bands and later with Charles Mingus From 1954 1963 he was a member of the Count Basie Orchestra for whom he composed and arranged 3 Mel Lewis a jazz drummer had been playing in big bands since he was 15 first with Boyd Raeburn then Alvino Rey Stan Kenton Terry Gibbs and Gerald Wilson In 1961 he toured the Soviet Union with veteran big band leader Benny Goodman 4 After Lewis moved to New York City he met Thad Jones and started the Thad Jones Mel Lewis Orchestra at the end of 1965 Beginning in February 1966 the band played every Monday night at the Village Vanguard 3 Since Lewis s death in 1990 the band has been called the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra continuing its tradition as the Village Vanguard s house band The Thad Jones Mel Lewis Orchestra was arguably weasel words the most influential big band since the swing era Lewis brought a loose small group style of drumming into the structure of a big band His cymbal work became a hallmark of the Jones Lewis Orchestra Jones s arrangements influenced later large ensemble composers such as Maria Schneider Bob Brookmeyer Jim McNeely and Bob Mintzer The Jones Lewis Orchestra was an unusual band creating new styles succeeding in an era when big bands were unpopular and remaining integrated during racially tense periods 2 The band s members included Bill Berry Billy Harper Bob Brookmeyer Danny Stiles Eddie Daniels George Mraz Hank Jones Jerome Richardson Jerry Dodgion Jimmy Knepper Joe Farrell Jon Faddis Marvin Stamm Pepper Adams Quentin Jackson Richard Davis Richard Williams Roland Hanna and Snooky Young 5 Awards and honors editGrammy Awards edit Thad Jones Mel Lewis Jazz Orchestra and Mel Lewis Jazz Orchestra 6 Year Nominee work Award Result1967 Live At The Village Vanguard album Best instrumental Jazz Performance Big Band Nominated1969 Central Park North album Nominated1970 Consummation album Nominated1975 Potpourri album Nominated1976 New Life album Nominated1978 Live In Munich album Won1979 Naturally album Nominated1980 Bob Brookmeyer Composer Arranger album Nominated1982 Make Me Smile amp Other New Works by Bob Brookmeyer album Nominated1986 20 Years At The Village Vanguard album Nominated1989 The Definitive Thad Jones album Nominated1990 The Definitive Thad Jones Volume 2 Live from the Village Vanguard album NominatedThe Vanguard Jazz Orchestra 7 Year Nominee work Award Result2002 Can I Persuade You album Best instrumental Jazz Performance Big Band Nominated2004 The Way Music Of Slide Hampton album Nominated2006 Up From The Skies Music Of Jim McNeely album Nominated2008 Monday Night Live At The Village Vanguard album Won2014 OverTime Music Of Bob Brookmeyer album NominatedFrom DownBeat edit Year Musicpublication won1972 Down Beat Readers Poll Big Band of the year19731974 Critics Poll Big Band of the yearReaders Poll Big Band of the year1975 Critics Poll Big Band of the yearReaders Poll Big Band of the year1976 Critics Poll Big Band of the yearReaders Poll Big Band of the year1977 Critics Poll Big Band of the yearReaders Poll Big Band of the year1978 Critics Poll Big Band of the yearDiscography editThe Thad Jones Mel Lewis Orchestra edit All My Yesterdays recorded 1966 released Resonance 2016 Live recording including the band s first performance Monday Feb 7 1966 at the Village Vanguard Presenting Thad Jones Mel Lewis and the Jazz Orchestra Solid State 1966 Presenting Joe Williams and Thad Jones Mel Lewis the Jazz Orchestra Solid State 1966 with Joe Williams Live at the Village Vanguard Solid State 1967 The Big Band Sound of Thad Jones Mel Lewis featuring Miss Ruth Brown Solid State 1968 with Ruth Brown Monday Night Solid State 1968 Jazz Casual Thad Jones Mel Lewis Orchestra recorded 1968 DVD Central Park North Solid State Blue Note 1969 Basle 1969 TCB 1969 rel 1996 Consummation Solid State Blue Note 1970 Live in Tokyo Denon 1974 Potpourri Philadelphia International 1974 Thad Jones Mel Lewis and Manuel De Sica Pausa 1974 Suite for Pops Horizon A amp M 1975 New Life Dedicated to Max Gordon Horizon A amp M 1975 Thad Jones Mel Lewis Orchestra With Rhoda Scott aka Rhoda Scott in New York with the Thad Jones Mel Lewis Orchestra Barclay 1976 Live in Munich Horizon A amp M 1976 It Only Happens Every Time EMI 1977 Inner City 1978 with Monica Zetterlund Body and Soul aka Thad Jones Mel Lewis Orchestra in Europe West Wind 1978 A Touch of Class West Wind 1978 The Blue Note Reissue Series Thad Jones Mel Lewis recorded 1966 1970 Blue Note compilation 2LP The Complete Solid State Recordings of the Thad Jones Mel Lewis Orchestra recorded 1966 1970 Mosaic compilation 5CD In Europe ITM 2007 compilation The Complete Live in Poland Concerts 1976 amp 1978 Gambit 2009 compilation The Mel Lewis Jazz Orchestra edit Naturally Telarc 1979 Play the Compositions of Herbie Hancock Live in Montreux MPS 1980 Pausa 1982 Bob Brookmeyer Composer Arranger Recorded in Concert at the Village Vanguard February 1980 Gryphon 1980 Make Me Smile amp Other New Works by Bob Brookmeyer aka Mel Lewis and the Jazz Orchestra Featuring the Music of Bob Brookmeyer live Finesse CBS 1982 Red Baron CBS 1993 20 Years at the Village Vanguard Atlantic 1985 Soft Lights and Hot Music Musicmasters 1988 The Definitive Thad Jones Musicmasters 1989 The Definitive Thad Jones Volume 2 Live from the Village Vanguard Musicmasters 1990 To You A Tribute to Mel Lewis Musicmasters 1991 The Vanguard Jazz Orchestra edit Lickety Split Music of Jim McNeely New World 1997 Thad Jones Legacy New World 1999 Can I Persuade You Planet Arts 2002 The Way Music of Slide Hampton Planet Arts 2004 Up from the Skies Music of Jim McNeely Planet Arts 2006 Monday Night Live at the Village Vanguard Planet Arts 2008 2CD Forever Lasting Live in Tokyo Planet Arts 2011 2CD OverTime Music of Bob Brookmeyer Planet Arts 2014 Alumni editLead trumpetSnooky Young 1966 1972 Jon Faddis 1972 1975 Al Porcino 1975 1976 Earl Gardner 1976 2005 Nick Marchione 2005 present TrumpetsThad Jones 1966 1979 Danny Stiles 1966 Jimmy Owens 1966 Bill Berry 1966 1968 Jimmy Nottingham 1966 1969 Richard Williams 1966 1969 Marvin Stamm 1966 1973 Randy Brecker 1968 Danny Moore 1968 1971 Al Porcino 1969 1970 and 1975 1976 Cecil Bridgewater 1971 1976 Stephen Furtado 1972 1975 Jim Bossy 1972 1975 Lew Soloff 1975 Sinclair Acey 1975 1976 Waymon Reed 1975 1977 Earl Gardner 1975 2005 Lynn Nicholson 1976 1977 Frank Gordon 1976 1977 Jeff Davis 1976 1977 Larry Moses 1977 1980 Laurie Frink 1978 1987 Irvin Stokes 1978 Simo Salminen 1978 1980 Ron Tooley 1978 1980 John Marshall 1979 1983 Joe Mosello 1980 2005 Tom Harrell 1982 Jim Powell 1982 1995 Glenn Drewes 1983 2005 Ryan Kisor 1995 1997 Scott Wendholt 1997 present Frank Greene 2005 2009 Terell Stafford 2005 present Tanya Darby 2009 2016 John Chudoba 2016 present Lead tromboneBob Brookmeyer 1966 1968 Garnett Brown 1968 1969 Eddie Bert 1969 1972 Jimmy Knepper 1972 1975 Billy Campbell 1975 1977 John Mosca 1977 2018 Marshall Gilkes 2019 present TrombonesJack Rains 1966 Tom McIntosh 1966 1967 Garnett Brown 1966 1969 Jimmy Cleveland 1968 Jimmy Knepper 1968 1975 Benny Powell 1969 1971 Quentin Jackson 1972 1975 Billy Campbell 1972 1977 Alex Kofman 1975 Janice Robinson 1975 1976 John Mosca 1975 2018 Clifford Adams 1976 1977 Lolly Bienenfeld 1978 1980 Lee Robertson 1978 1981 Ed Neumeister 1981 1999 Jason Jackson 1998 present Luis Bonilla 1999 2019 Dion Tucker 2019 present Bass tromboneCliff Heather 1966 1974 Dave Taylor 1974 1975 Earl McIntyre 1975 1998 Douglas Purviance 1978 present French hornStephanie Fauber 1979 1991 SaxophonesLead alto saxophoneJerome Richardson 1966 1970 Jerry Dodgion 1971 1978 Dick Oatts 1978 present Second alto saxophoneJerry Dodgion 1966 1970 Ed Xiques 1971 1977 Dick Oatts 1977 1978 Steve Coleman 1978 1980 Kenny Garrett 1980 1982 Bill Easley 1982 Ted Nash 1982 1991 Billy Drewes 1991 present First tenor saxophoneJoe Farrell 1966 1969 Seldon Powell 1968 Joe Henderson 1969 Billy Harper 1970 1975 Frank Foster 1975 Larry Schneider 1975 1978 Dick Oatts 1977 summer tour Bob Rockwell 1978 1980 Joe Lovano 1980 1991 Bob Mintzer 1981 Rome tour Rich Perry 1991 present Second tenor saxophoneEddie Daniels 1966 1972 Ron Bridgewater 1972 1975 Gregory Herbert 1975 1977 Rich Perry 1977 1980 Gary Pribeck 1980 1982 Ralph Lalama 1983 present Baritone saxophonePepper Adams 1966 1977 Eddie Xiques 1977 1978 Charles Davis 1978 Gary Brown 1979 Gary Pribeck 1979 1980 Gary Smulyan 1980 present Frank Basile regular sub GuitarSam Herman 1966 1968 PianoHank Jones 1966 Roland Hanna 1966 1975 Walter Norris 1975 1976 Harold Danko 1976 1978 Jim McNeely 1978 1984 Kenny Werner 1984 1995 Jim McNeely 1995 2019 Adam Birnbaum 2019 present Michael Weiss regular sub BassRichard Davis 1966 1972 Gene Perla 1972 George Mraz 1972 1976 Steve Gilmore 1975 1976 Rufus Reid 1977 1980 Ray Drummond 1978 Bob Bowman 1976 and 1979 John Lockwood 1980 Marc Johnson 1981 1982 Dennis Irwin 1983 2008 Phil Palombi 2008 2009 David Wong 2009 present DrumsMel Lewis 1966 1990 Dennis Mackrel 1990 1991 Danny Gottlieb 1991 1992 John Riley 1992 present VocalsDee Dee Bridgewater 1971 1974 Ruth Brown guest Joe Williams guest References edit Lisik Allen 50 Years at the Village Vanguard Thad Jone Mel Lewis and the Village Vanguard Orchestra Sky Deck Music 2017 pp 8 9 a b Wong Herb The Village Vanguard Jazz Orchestra Jazz Education Journal Nov Dec 2003 Vol 36 3 pp 42 46 a b Yanow Scott Thad Jones Biography amp History AllMusic AllMusic Retrieved 3 January 2017 Yanow Scott Mel Lewis Biography amp History AllMusic AllMusic Retrieved 3 January 2017 Yanow Scott Thad Jones Mel Lewis Orchestra Biography amp History AllMusic AllMusic Retrieved 3 January 2017 Official awards results for Grammy com Official awards results for Grammy comExternal links editDownbeat interview with Thad Jones and Mel Lewis Vanguard Jazz Orchestra Official Website Village Vanguard Tribute to Thad Jones and Mel Lewis Jazz Assisi featuring Vanguard Jazz Orchestra 50 Years at the Village Vanguard Thad Jones Mel Lewis and the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title The Thad Jones Mel Lewis Orchestra amp oldid 1146169701, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
