Three And One – 1969
Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra
The classic big band is heard in prime form
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Formed in 1965 by trumpeter-arranger Thad Jones and drummer Mel Lewis, the Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra was originally an all-star band mostly comprised of veterans who were free on Monday nights to play at the Village Vanguard.
Quickly evolving into one of the top big bands in jazz, the orchestra changed in 1978 when Jones suddenly departed.
It was renamed the Mel Lewis Jazz Orchestra until Lewis’ passing in 1990 when it became the still-active Vanguard Jazz Orchestra.
On this 1969 appearance on a Battle Of The Bands telecast in Europe, Jones conducts the band and takes a lyrical solo on flugelhorn during “Three And One”; there are also notable spots for baritonist Pepper Adams and bassist Richard Davis.
-Scott Yanow
