Thad Jones-Mel Lewis Jazz Orchestra – Presenting Thad Jones-Mel Lewis & The Jazz Orchestra (1966/2018) [Official Digital Download 24bit/96kHz]

Presenting Thad Jones/Mel Lewis & The Jazz Orchestra is a 1966 big band jazz album recorded by the Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Jazz Orchestra and released on the Solid State Records label. It is the debut release by the orchestra (although an earlier live session recording would eventually be released as Opening Night). All tracks are also included on Mosaic’s limited edition boxed set, The Complete Solid State Recordings of the Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra.

The track titled “Three in One” is incorrectly labeled on the album cover. The correct title of the piece is “Three and One.” The piece was originally written by Jones for a 1958 small group session titled “Keepin’ Up With The Joneses” with Thad, his two siblings (Hank on piano and Elvin on drums), and bass player Eddie Jones (no relation). The title refers to the three Jones siblings plus one other Jones who is unrelated. The correct title is on the original parts as well as the later published version by Kendor.

The debut recording of the Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra launched a mighty (if part-time) all-star big band. With arrangements by Jones, Bob Brookmeyer, and Tom McIntosh and such soloists as baritonist Pepper Adams, pianist Hank Jones, valve trombonist Brookmeyer, Jerome Richardson on various reeds, altoist Jerry Dodgion, and Joe Farrell and Eddie Daniels on tenors (in addition to flügelhornist Jones), it is not surprising that the orchestra was soon rated near the top. Among the seven selections are four Thad Jones originals (including “Mean What You Say”), “Willow Weep for Me,” and Brookmeyer’s lengthy “ABC Blues.” – Scott Yanow

Tracklist:
1. Thad Jones-Mel Lewis Jazz Orchestra – Once Around (05:29)
2. Thad Jones-Mel Lewis Jazz Orchestra – Willow Weep For Me (05:37)
3. Thad Jones-Mel Lewis Jazz Orchestra – Balanced Scales Justice (05:01)
4. Thad Jones-Mel Lewis Jazz Orchestra – Three In One (05:48)
5. Thad Jones-Mel Lewis Jazz Orchestra – Mean What You Say (05:31)
6. Thad Jones-Mel Lewis Jazz Orchestra – Don’t Ever Leave Me (04:37)
7. Thad Jones-Mel Lewis Jazz Orchestra – ABC Blues (12:59)

Personnel:
Thad Jones – flugelhorn
Mel Lewis – drums
Hank Jones – piano
Richard Davis – double bass
Jerome Richardson – saxophone
Jerry Dodgion – saxophone
Joe Farrell – saxophone
Eddie Daniels – saxophone
Pepper Adams – saxophone
Richard Williams – trumpet
Danny Stiles – trumpet
Bill Berry – trumpet
Jimmy Nottingham – trumpet
Bob Brookmeyer – trombone
Jack Rains – trombone
Tom McIntosh – trombone
Cliff Heather – trombone