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Thad Jones and Mel Lewis

In 1966, trumpeter-composer Thad Jones (1923-86) and drummer Mel Lewis (1929-90) assembled a cream-of-the-crop big band that became a jazz institution, a musicians' ensemble that played for sheer joy. Geoffrey Smith salutes their cutting-edge class and excitement.

1 hour

Last on

Sun 8 May 2016 00:00

Music Played

  • Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra

    Mean What You Say

    • Presenting Thad Jones/Mel Lewis and 'The Jazz Orchestra'.
    • United Artists.
    • 6.
  • Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra

    Willow Weep For Me

    • All My Yesterdays.
    • Resonance.
    • 5.
  • Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra

    Big Dipper

    • All My Yesterdays.
    • Resonance.
    • 3.
  • Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra

    Balanced Scales = Justice

    • Thad Jones Mel Lewis and the Jazz Orchestra.
    • Solid State.
    • 3.
  • Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra

    Don't Get Sassy

    • Live At The Village Vanguard.
    • Blue Note.
    • 4.
  • Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra

    A Child Is Born

    • Consummation.
    • Blue Note.
    • 4.
  • Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra

    Cherry Juice

    • New Life.
    • A&M.
    • 4.
  • Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra

    The Little Pixie

    • Live At The Village Vanguard.
    • Blue Note.
    • 1.

Performers:

Ìý Title:ÌýÌýMean What You Say Ìý
Ìý Artist:ÌýThad Jones/Mel Lewis OrchestraÌý
Ìý Composers:ÌýThad JonesÌý
Ìý Album Title:ÌýPresenting Thad Jones/Mel Lewis and 'The Jazz Orchestra'Ìý
Ìý Label:ÌýUnited ArtistsÌýCatalogue No:ÌýULP-1169Ìý
Ìý Duration:Ìý05’24
Ìý Performers:ÌýThad Jones, Flugelhorn; Mel Lewis, drums; Jerome Richardson, Joe Farrell, Jerry Dogidon, Eddie Daniels, Pepper Adams, saxophones; Richard Williams, Danny Stiles, Bill Berry, Jimmy Nottingham, trumpets; Bob Brookmeyer, Jack Rains, Tom McIntosh, Cliff Heather, trombones; Richard Davis, bass; Hank Jones, piano; Sam Herman, guitar.

ÌýÌý
Ìý Title:ÌýÌýWillow Weep for Me Ìý
Ìý Artist:ÌýThad Jones/Mel Lewis OrchestraÌý
Ìý Composers:ÌýRonellÌý
Ìý Album Title:ÌýAll My YesterdaysÌý
Ìý Label:ÌýResonanceÌýCatalogue No:ÌýHCD2023Ìý
Ìý Duration:Ìý06’15Ìý
Ìý Performers:ÌýThad Jones, trumpet; Mel Lewis, drums; Jerome Richardson, Joe Farrell, Jerry Dogidon, Eddie Daniels, Pepper Adams, saxophones; Jimmy Owens, Danny Stiles, Bill Berry, Jimmy Nottingham, trumpets; Jack Rains, Garnett Brown, Cliff Heather, Tom McIntosh, trombones; Hank Jones, piano; Sam Herman, guitar; Richard Davis, bass.

ÌýÌý
Ìý Title:ÌýÌýBig Dipper Ìý
Ìý Artist:ÌýThad Jones/Mel Lewis OrchestraÌý
Ìý Composers:ÌýThad Jones, Thad JonesÌý
Ìý Album Title:ÌýAll My YesterdaysÌý
Ìý Label:ÌýResonanceÌýCatalogue No:ÌýHCD2023Ìý
Ìý Duration:Ìý05’51
Ìý Performers:ÌýThad Jones, trumpet; Mel Lewis, drums; Jerome Richardson, Joe Farrell, Jerry Dogidon, Eddie Daniels, Marv “Docâ€� Holladay, saxophones; Jimmy Owens, Snooky Young, Bill Berry, Jimmy Nottingham, trumpets; Bob Brookmeyer, Garnett Brown, Cliff Heather, Jack Rains, trombones; Hank Jones, piano; Sam Herman, guitar; Richard Davis, bass.

ÌýÌý
Ìý Title:ÌýÌýBalanced Scales = Justice Ìý
Ìý Artist:ÌýThad Jones/Mel Lewis OrchestraÌý
Ìý Composers:ÌýT. McintoshÌý
Ìý Album Title:ÌýThad Jones Mel Lewis and the Jazz OrchestraÌý
Ìý Label:ÌýSolid StateÌýCatalogue No:ÌýSM 17003Ìý
Ìý Duration:Ìý04’54
Ìý Performers:ÌýThad Jones, Flugelhorn; Mel Lewis, drums; Jerome Richardson, Joe Farrell, Jerry Dogidon, Eddie Daniels, Pepper Adams, saxophones; Richard Williams, Danny Stiles, Bill Berry, Jimmy Nottingham, trumpets; Bob Brookmeyer, Jack Rains, Tom McIntosh, Cliff Heather, trombones; Richard Davis, bass; Hank Jones, piano; Sam Herman, guitar.

ÌýÌý
Ìý Title:ÌýÌýDon't Get Sassy Ìý
Ìý Artist:ÌýThad Jones & Mel LewisÌý
Ìý Composers:ÌýThad JonesÌý
Ìý Album Title:ÌýLive At The Village VanguardÌý
Ìý Label:ÌýBlue NoteÌýCatalogue No:Ìý7243 5-60439 2 3Ìý
Ìý Duration:Ìý07’16Ìý
Ìý Performers:ÌýThad Jones, cornet; Snooky Young, Bill Berry, Jimmy Nottingham, Richard Williams, Marvin Stamm, trumpets; Bob Brookmeyer, Tom McIntosh, Garnett Brown, trombones; Cliff Heather, bass trombone; Jerome Richardson, Jerry Dodgion, Joe Farrell, Eddie Daniels, Pepper Adams, saxophones; Roland Hanna, piano; Sam Herman, guitar; Richard Davis, bass; Mel Lewis, drums

ÌýÌý
Ìý Title:ÌýÌýA Child is Born Ìý
Ìý Artist:ÌýThad Jones & Mel LewisÌý
Ìý Composers:ÌýThad JonesÌý
Ìý Album Title:ÌýConsummationÌý
Ìý Label:ÌýBlue NoteÌýCatalogue No:Ìý38-226Ìý
Ìý Duration:Ìý04’05Ìý
Ìý Performers:ÌýThad Jones, trumpet; Mel Lewis, drums; Richard Lewis, bass; Al Porcino, Danny Moore, Snooky Young, Marvin Stamm, trumpets; Howard Johnson, tuba; Jerome Richardson, Jerry Dodgion, Joe Farrell, Eddie Daniels, Billy Harper, saxophones; Roland Hanna, piano

ÌýÌý
Ìý Title:ÌýÌýCherry Juice Ìý
Ìý Artist:ÌýThad Jones & Mel LewisÌý
Ìý Composers:ÌýThad JonesÌý
Ìý Album Title:ÌýNew LifeÌý
Ìý Label:ÌýA&MÌýCatalogue No:ÌýAMLJ707Ìý
Ìý Duration:Ìý05’44Ìý
Ìý Performers:ÌýAl Porcino, Sinclair Acey, Waymon Reed, Cecil Bridge, trumpets; Billy Campbell, Janice Robinson, John Mosca, Earl McIntyre, trombones; Jerry Dodgion, Eddie Xiques, Frank Foster, Greg Herbert, Pepper Adams, saxophones; Mel Lewis, drums; Walter Norris, piano; George Mraz, bass; Thad Jones, flugelhorn.

ÌýÌý
Ìý Title:ÌýÌýThe Little Pixie Ìý
Ìý Artist:ÌýThad Jones & Mel LewisÌý
Ìý Composers:ÌýThad JonesÌý
Ìý Album Title:ÌýLive At The Village VanguardÌý
Ìý Label:ÌýBlue NoteÌýCatalogue No:Ìý7243 5-60439 2 3Ìý
Ìý Duration:Ìý10’32Ìý
Ìý Performers:ÌýThad Jones, cornet; Snooky Young, Bill Berry, Jimmy Nottingham, Richard Williams, Marvin Stamm, trumpets; Bob Brookmeyer, Tom McIntosh, Garnett Brown, trombones; Cliff Heather, bass trombone; Jerome Richardson, Jerry Dodgion, Joe Farrell, Eddie Daniels, Pepper Adams, saxophones; Roland Hanna, piano; Sam Herman, guitar; Richard Davis, bass; Mel Lewis, drums

Ìý

Broadcast

  • Sun 8 May 2016 00:00

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