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Thad Jones

While listening to Pandora in the backgroud...this killer trumpet playing caught my attention.  I walked over to the player to see that it was the Thelonius Monk album 'Five By Monk Five'.  I looked up the album on Wikipedia to see what musicians were on the session. It listed Thad Jones as the trumpeter.  He was killing it.  I'm 65 years old and have been listening to jazz for 46 years and have never heard any music by Thad Jones.   I'd seen his name a few times over the decades while reading about jazz, but nothing ever stood out.  I retrieved the album on Napster and played it.  Excellent album.  Cat can play.

Can anyone recommend any Thad Jones recordings that you think are some of his best work?

On a trivia note, .....pianist Hank Jones and drummer Elvin Jones are his brothers.
128x128mitch4t

Showing 4 responses by charles1dad

charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
6,996 posts
 
Hi Mitch4t,
As a fellow jazz aficionado I’m somewhat surprised you’ve just recently discovered this outstanding trumpeter. He was every bit the talent equal of Miles, Clifford Grown, Fats Navarro etc. As usual Frogman is spot on.

Small combo settings,
"Mean What You Say"
"Keeping Up With The Joneses"
"After Hours"
"The Fabulous Thad Jones"
"Detroit-New York Junction"
Thad could flat out play, yes indeed 😅.
Charles
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
6,996 posts
 
The Jones brothers Hank, Thad and Elvin were one of the great families of jazz along with,
Heath brothers,  Percy, Jimmy and Albert.
Montgomery brothers,  Wes, Buddy and Monk.
Charles 
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
6,996 posts
 
Hi Mitch,
 Yes I truly understand your point.  No matter how much jazz music listening and exposure there's still someone new to discover.  I have a pretty good size collection of jazz recordings but not as large as yours.

You are so right in that there's so much recorded jazz you could live two lifetimes and yet would be unable to hear it all. I've been a devout jazz listener 30 years and attend live jazz venues quite regularly. This experience of hearing the musicians live has profoundly impacted how I judge/choose audio components😊.

Since the topic is regarding a renowned jazz trumpeter,  are you familiar with Trumpeters Lee Morgan,  Kenny Dorham or Fats Navarro? I listen to a lot of Miles and Chet Baker. 
Charles 
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
6,996 posts
 
"A Child Is Born" absolutely a beautiful classic written by Thad. Pepper Adams (Baritone Saxophone) did a wonderful cover of this song as have many others.

Mitch, Navarro had some very nice sessions with Tadd Dameron. He was a superb Bop trumpeter. Not nearly as well known as the iconic Dizzy Gillespie but I prefer Fats Navarro’s playing more. Sadly he died at the tender age of 27.
Charles
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