Thad Jones


Thaddeus Joseph Jones was an American jazz trumpeter, composer and bandleader who has been called "one of the all-time greatest jazz trumpet soloists".

Early life, family and education

Thad Jones was born in Pontiac, Michigan, to Henry and Olivia Jones, a musical family of 10. A self-taught musician, Thad began performing professionally at the age of 16. He served in U.S. Army bands during World War II.
Many years later, while teaching jazz at the Royal Danish Conservatory in Copenhagen, Jones studied composition formally during this period. He also began learning the valve trombone.

Career

After his military service, which included an association with the US Military School of Music and working with area bands in Des Moines, Iowa; and Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Jones became a member of the Basie Orchestra in May 1954. He was featured as a soloist on such well-known tunes as "April in Paris", "Shiny Stockings", and "Corner Pocket". However, his main contribution to Basie's organization was nearly two dozen arrangements and compositions, which included "The Deacon", "H.R.H.", "Counter Block", and lesser known tracks such as "Speaking of Sounds". His hymn-like ballad "To You" was performed by the Basie band combined with the Duke Ellington Orchestra in their only recording together, and the recording Dance Along With Basie contains nearly an entire album of Jones's uncredited arrangements of standard tunes. In 1959, Jones played cornet on Thelonious Monk's 5 by Monk by 5 album.
Jones left the Basie Orchestra in 1963 to become a freelance arranger and musician in New York City. In 1965, he and drummer Mel Lewis formed the Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra. The group started with informal late-night jam sessions among New York City's top studio musicians. They began performing at the Village Vanguard in February 1966, to wide acclaim, and continued with Jones in the lead for 12 years. They won a 1978 Grammy Award for their album Live in Munich.
Jones taught at William Paterson College in New Jersey. At what is now the Thad Jones Archive site, pencil scores and vintage photos are available as part of the Living Jazz Archives.
After abruptly relocating to Copenhagen, he became the leader of The Danish Radio Big Band, Jones transformed the Danish Radio Big Band into one of the world's best. The result can be heard on a live-recording from the Montmartre in Copenhagen. In July 1979, Jones formed a new big band, Eclipse, with which he recorded a live album, Eclipse. Several Americans were on the album: pianist Horace Parlan, baritonist Sahib Shihab, trumpeter Tim Hagans, and trombonist/vocalist Richard B. Boone. The rest of the band comprised trombonists Bjarne Thanning and Ture Larsen, trumpeter Lars Togeby, altoists Ole Thøger and Michael Hove, tenor saxophonist Bent Jædig, and bassist Jesper Lundgaard. Jones further composed for the Danish Radio Big Band and taught jazz at the Royal Danish Conservatory in Copenhagen. He studied composition formally during this period, and also took up the valve trombone. In later years, his playing ability was diminished due to a lip injury, but his composing and arranging skills blossomed. His best-known composition is the standard "A Child Is Born".
In February 1985, Jones returned to the US to take over the leadership of the Count Basie Orchestra, upon his former leader's death. Jones fronted the Basie band on numerous tours, also writing arrangements for recordings and performances with vocalist Caterina Valente and the Manhattan Transfer, but had to step down due to ill health.

Personal life

Jones had a daughter Thedia and a son Bruce from his first marriage in the US.
In January 1979, Jones suddenly moved to Copenhagen, Denmark, to the great surprise of his New York bandmates. He married a Danish woman, Lis. They named their son Thaddeus Joseph William Jones.
Jones returned to the US in 1985 to lead the Count Basie Orchestra after his former leader's death. Jones' decline in health caused him to retire from performing. He returned to his home in Copenhagen for the last few months of his life. He died of cancer on August 20, 1986, aged 63, at Herlev Hospital. He is buried in Copenhagen's Vestre Kirkegård Cemetery.
Thad Jones Vej in southern Copenhagen is named for Jones.

Discography

As leader/co-leader

The Fabulous Thad Jones Detroit–New York Junction The Magnificent Thad Jones The Magnificent Thad Jones Vol.3 Mad Thad Sonny Rollins Plays split album with Sonny Rollins

With the Thad Jones / Mel Lewis Orchestra

Presenting Thad Jones / Mel Lewis and the Jazz Orchestra Presenting Joe Williams and Thad Jones / Mel Lewis, The Jazz Orchestra Live at the Village Vanguard The Big Band Sound of Thad Jones/Mel Lewis featuring Miss Ruth Brown Monday Night – liveCentral Park North Consummation Live in Tokyo Potpourri Thad Jones / Mel Lewis and Manuel De Sica Suite for Pops New Life: Dedicated to Max Gordon Thad Jones / Mel Lewis Orchestra With Rhoda Scott – a.k.a. Rhoda Scott in New York with... Live in Munich It Only Happens Every Time with Monica Zetterlund – recorded in 1977Body and Soul – Live in Berlin. a.k.a. Thad Jones / Mel Lewis Orchestra in EuropeA Touch of Class – Live in WarsawBasle, 1969 – recorded in 1969Opening Night – recorded in 1966

With [DR Big Band]

As chief conductorBy Jones, I think we've got it – recorded live at Jazzhus Montmartre, CopenhagenA good time was had by all – recorded live at Jazzhus Montmartre, Copenhagen in 1978

As sideman

With Count Basie
With Bob BrookmeyerJazz Is a Kick Back Again
With Kenny BurrellBlues - The Common Ground – recorded in 1967-1968Ellington Is Forever Ellington Is Forever Volume Two – recorded in 1975
With Dexter GordonCa'Purange – recorded in 1972Tangerine – recorded in 1972
With Coleman HawkinsColeman Hawkins and His Orchestra The Hawk Swings – recorded in 1960
With Elvin JonesElvin! – recorded in 1961–1962And Then Again Midnight Walk Mr. Jones – recorded in 1972
With Oliver NelsonMore Blues and the Abstract Truth – recorded in 1964The Spirit of '67 with Pee Wee Russell
With Shirley ScottFor Members Only Roll 'Em: Shirley Scott Plays the Big Bands
With Sonny StittSonny Stitt Plays Arrangements from the Pen of Quincy Jones Stitt Goes Latin Broadway Soul Goin' Down Slow
With Ben WebsterSoulmates See You at the Fair
With Frank WessYo Ho! Poor You, Little Me Opus de Blues – recorded in 1959
With others

As arranger

With Harry James