The Thad Jones / Mel Lewis Jazz Orchestra was a jazz big band formed by trumpeter Thad Jones and drummer Mel Lewis around 1965. The band performed for twelve years in its original incarnation, and included a tour of the Soviet Union during the height of the Cold War. The band won a 1978 Grammy Award for the album Live in Munich. The collaboration ended in 1978 with Jones suddenly moving to 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. Trombonist John Mosca serves as director, saxophonist Dick Oatts serves as artistic director, and pianist Jim McNeely as composer-in-residence. They have maintained a Monday-night residency at the Village Vanguard for four decades.
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History
The orchestra started out as a group of all-star studio musicians getting together for midnight practice sessions at any place within walking distance from Jim and Andy's, a bar frequented by New York musicians. They eventually debuted at the Village Vanguard in New York in 1966, and were quickly noticed by jazz insiders for their originality and virtuoso skills.
The band had its own unique style, along the lines of big band swing, Bebop and Hardbop. The sound was powerful, fast, intellectual and fun to listen to. Their pieces required a high degree of skill to play. Thad Jones, an improvisational genius on the trumpet, led the group. Mel Lewis, co-leader, produced a drum style with the band that was unique for big bands; the extent in which he was able to incorporate the loose, open approach of small group playing was a major innovation. His cymbal work added a texture and richness that is one of the hallmarks of the band. Every big band drummer after Lewis has been influenced by him to some degree.
The orchestra was the most influential Big Band since the swing era.[citation needed] It was also an unusual band; creating new styles, succeeding in an era where big bands were out of favor, and remaining integrated during racially tense periods. The band initially was made of all-stars, but over time endeavored to showcase new talent (Jon Faddis). Thad's arrangements proved to be highly influential upon modern composers such as Maria Schneider, Bob Brookmeyer (who is also an alumnus), and Bill Kirchner. His songs built upon the innovations previously pioneered by Jazz composition figures such as Duke Ellington and Charles Mingus.
Alumni
- Brass
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- Woodwinds
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- Keyboards
- Bass
- Drums
- Mel Lewis
- Dennis Mackrel
- John Riley
- Vocals
Discography
Thad Jones/ Mel Lewis Albums
- Opening Night, (recorded 1966, released 2000), Alan Grant Presents
- Presenting Thad Jones / Mel Lewis and the Jazz Orchestra, 1966, Solid State
- Live at the Village Vanguard, 1967, Solid State
- Monday Night, 1968, Solid State
- Central Park North, 1969, Solid State
- Consummation, 1970, Solid State / Blue Note
- Village Vanguard Live Sessions 3, (recorded 1970), LRC Records
- Suite for Pops, 1972, Horizon / A&M
- Potpourri, 1974, Philadelphia International
- Greetings and Salutations, 1975, Town Crier (Jones, Lewis and Jon Faddis with the Swedish Radio Jazz Group)
- New Life: Dedicated to Max Gordon, 1975, A&M Records
- Live in Munich, 1976, Horizon / A&M
- Thad Jones, Mel Lewis and UMO, 1977, RCA (Jones and Lewis with the UMO Jazz Orchestra, Helsinki)
- It Only Happens Every Time, 1977, EMI
- Body and Soul, 1978, West Wind Jazz
- A Touch of Class, 1978, West Wind Jazz
Mel Lewis and the Orchestra
- Naturally, 1979, Telarc
- Live in Montreux: Mel Lewis Plays Herbie Hancock, 1980, MPS Records/ Pausa
- Live at the Village Vanguard, ...Featuring the Music of Bob Brookmeyer, 1980
- Mel Lewis and the Jazz Orchestra, 1982, Finesse
- 20 Years at the Village Vanguard, 1985, Atlantic
- Definitive Thad Jones, Vol. 1, 1988, Music Masters Jazz
- Definitive Thad Jones, Vol. 2, 1988, Music Masters Jazz
- Soft Lights and Hot Music, 1988, Music Masters Jazz
- To You: A Tribute to Mel Lewis, 1990, Music Masters Jazz
Vanguard Jazz Orchestra
- Post- Jones / Lewis
- Lickety Split, The Music of Jim McNeely, 1997, New World Records
- Thad Jones Legacy, Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, 1999, New World Records
- Can I Persuade You, 2002, Planet Arts
- The Way, Music of Slide Hampton, 2004, Planet Arts
- Up From The Skies, Music of Jim McNeely, 2006, Planet Arts
- Monday Night Live at the Village Vanguard, 2008, Planet Arts
Awards and honors
- Best Large Jazz Ensemble Performance: 2009 (Monday Night Live at the Village Vanguard)
- Best Jazz Instrumental Performance - Big Band: 1978 (Live in Munich)
Grammy award nominations:
- Best Jazz Instrumental Performance - Big Band: 1967 (Live at the Village Vanguard), 1969 (Central Park North ), 1970 (Consummation), 1975 (Potpourri), 1976 (New Life)
- Best Instrumental Arrangement: 1975 ("Living for the City" from Potpourri)
Down Beat magazine
- Critics' Poll winner: Big Band:[2] 1974, 1975, 1976, 1977, 1978
- Readers' Poll winner: Big Band:[3] 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975,
References
- ^ LA Times, "The Envelope" awards database. link. Accessed 2008 April 28.
- ^ Down Beat magazine Critics' Poll archives. Accessed 2008 April 28.
- ^ Down Beat magazine Readers' Poll archives Accessed 2008 April 28.
External links
- Downbeat 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.
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