Consummation [Reissue]

Read About This Recording

During 1966-78, cornetist-arranger Thad Jones and drummer Mel Lewis led one of the finest big bands in jazz. Both Jones, who was formerly with Count Basie, and Lewis had had substantial careers prior to forming their orchestra. In late-1965, they began recruiting some of their favorite musicians and in February 1966 they debuted at the Village Vanguard, gaining a weekly Monday night gig. Because it was always a part-time orchestra, the Jones/Lewis big band was able to use many of the top musicians based in New York. They were eager to play Thad Jones' inventive arrangements and be part of a swinging modern jazz orchestra. Since then, the orchestra has survived both the decision of Jones to move to Europe in 1978 and Lewis' 1990 death, still playing Monday nights at the Village Vanguard as the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra.

The greatest recording of the band during the Thad Jones years is 1970's Consummation. This CD reissue has the original version of A Child Is Born (Jones' most famous original), the catchy Tiptoe and Fingers which is a 10-1/2 minute romp, plus five other excellent selections. With such soloists as trumpeter Marvin Stamm, trombonist Jimmy Knepper, the reeds of Billy Harper, Jerome Richardson, Jerry Dodgion and Eddie Daniels, keyboardist Sir Roland Hanna and bassist Richard Davis, the results are memorable and classic. Highly recommended.

-Scott Yanow

Contents

Dedication; It Only Happens Every Time; Tiptoe; A Child Is Born; Us; Ahunk Ahunk; Fingers; Consummation.

Thad Jones, Flugelhorn; Snooky Young, Danny Moore, Al Porcino, Marvin Stamm, Trumpets; Eddie Bert, Benny Powell, Jimmy Knepper, Trombones; Cliff Heather, Bass Trombone; Pepper Adams, Baritone Sax; Richie Kamuca, Baritone Sax, Clarinet; Jerry Dodgion, Alto Sax, Flute, Clarinet; Eddie Daniels, Tenor Sax, Clarinet, Flute; Joe Farrell, Flute, Tenor Sax; Jerome Richardson, Alto & Soprano Sax, Flute; Billy Harper, Tenor Sax, Flute; Sir Roland Hanna, Piano, Electric Piano; Richard Davis, Bass, Electric Bass; Mel Lewis, Drums; Jimmy Buffington, Earl Chapin, Dick Berg, Julius Watkins, French Horns; Howard Johnson, Tuba; David Spinozza, Guitar.