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.
Last on
More episodes
Previous
Next
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 00:00Âé¶¹Éç Radio 3
Podcast
-
Geoffrey Smith's Jazz
Geoffrey Smith's Jazz - a weekly sequence exploring what makes great jazz great music