One of my favourite LPs is Live at the Village Vanguard, it was recorded by the Thad Jones & Mel Lewis Orchestra in 1967. The Orchestra had started their 6 week residency in February 1966 but such was the success of their venture that their Monday night residency became a permanent feature and their successor, the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, are still performing the music of Thad Jones in the Vanguard every Monday Night.
The Orchestra was very popular with Jazz fans because of the calibre of the Thad's writing and the quality of the musicianship. This is Little Pixie, all 5 members of the sax section are featured. If you like this then you may want to explore this world further:
Re: Jazz - What's your bag, man?
Posted: Fri Jun 14, 2013 2:10 pm
by markof
Simply wonderful album. Great melodies, great arrangements and great musicians - superb.
Re: Jazz - What's your bag, man?
Posted: Sat Jun 15, 2013 8:10 pm
by Seán
Errol Garner was born 90 years ago today. He was only 53 when he died in 1977, so to celebrate the lovely man's life I listened to:
In this performance from 1953 he plays his gorgeous tune Misty. Clint Eastwood later made a film with Donna Mills entitled, Play Misty for Me. The Errol Garner trio and Misty:
Re: Jazz - What's your bag, man?
Posted: Sat Jun 22, 2013 3:20 pm
by Seán
In the fifties, sixties and seventies Jazz music was very popular in Sweden and American musicians were always very well received. When Thad, Mel and their Lead Trumpeter, Jon Faddis, visited Sweden in 1975 to perform with Swedish musicians they recorded a very fine album. One of the most satisfying tracks is Thad's, 61st and richlt, with lovely ensemble writing and splendid performances by this house orchestra. Faddis leads the trumpet section.