5:20 Joe's solo is so stylish. So little emotions on his face, but so much going on inside. He is one of the most innovative and complete saxophone players of all time. He is like no one, no influences in his playing. Just a pure art. What a genius.
I was fortunate to have played with the band at the Village Vanguard before I moved to Europe in 1969. What great memories. I was lucky to know Thad as a friend.
That's really great. Young jazz musician like me can only dream about it))) I think I would give anything to visit this concert))) You are really lucky man)))
I have a question. Thad Joneses brother is Elvin Jones, which is one of the greatest beings to play the drums. Why didnt Thad have him play in his orchestra?
For anyone wishing to learn more about the history, origins, and stories of this band, I can't recommend the Mel Lewis biography highly enough ("The View from the Back of the Band: The Life and Music of Mel Lewis", by Chris Smith). Excellent read for drummers and non-drummers (like my bass playing self) alike.
Everything about this performance is amazing. When they get to 5:20 and Joe Henderson stands up to take a tenor solo, I find myself thinking, *of course* the only thing that could happen next is that Joe Henderson would take a tenor solo. It's like Thor showing up with an axe.
OMG! "Thor showing up with an axe?" That's perfect! I laughed when I read this until I cried! The second that guy stood up I said "that's Joe Henserson, we're in for it now!" Love his LP "In Pursuit Of Blackness..."
I was fortunate to have been in his music class when he was in residence at William Paterson in the 70's when the jazz program was just finding its feet, and Thad had his brother Elvin come and do a performance for us in one of our rehearsal rooms, wow! The dept. chair wouldn't let me sign up for the class because i was "teaching' major, imagine! I did anyway. God could he play huge impressionistic chords as he taught us about arranging. He also brought Dizzy's quintet to WP that year too-he played the flugelhorn like Dizzy played the trumpet-unbelievable "cutting' contest between the 2 that day was unforgettable. he left for Europe a few years later, what a shame he had to go overseas to make a living, what great, big, generous guy he was. Had a smile that warmed up the entire music department. and my brother managed to squeeeze a few lessons from richard Davis while these geniuses were in NY.
Personnel: Thad Jones (flhrn) Snooky Young, Al Porcino, Richard Williams, Danny Moore (tp) Jimmy Knepper, Eddie Bert, Astley Fennell (tb) Cliff Heather (b-tb) Jerry Dodgion (as,fl) Jerome Richardson (as) Eddie Daniels, Joe Henderson (ts) Pepper Adams (bar) Sir Roland Hanna (p) Richard Davis (b) Mel Lewis (d) Soburg, Denmark; September 3, 1969.
Joe and Eddie trading tenor solos with this great orchestra in "Tow Away Zone"! For me, seeing this band in 1972 at a French restaurant near Yale, at 16, got me started on a life of going to hear the masters live!
I was in the audience at The Vanguard every Monday night, usually standing quite near the telephone at the entrance to the hall leading to the kitchen because it was always SRO. Never ever forget those fantastic nights.
Notice!!!! Thad conducts the MUSIC , the Phrases not just stand in front and keep time. Wow, Wow. What a tenor duo! Eddie also plays amazing clarinet. I was not a clarinet fan until I heard this man play jazz on one; check him out!
Eddie Daniels, having been my teacher 12 years after this, I find most interesting. With no less than Joe Henderson on first tenor, and the uniquely great Dexter Gordon far from inconspicuous in the audience, Eddie is his own man, swinging and driving hard. His clarinet section work is uniquely his own, yet belonging to the ensemble work all the while. Bravo to ALL!
Thad Jones and Mel Lewis. Monday nights walking down the steps of the Village Vanguard. My goodness; the finest musicians playing big band jazz. And Mel Lewis keeping the beat with that 'smooth touch' on the percussion. And the band was just plain smokin'!!! I enjoyed many an evening hearing Thad's fabulous arrangements and his flugelhorn. And the band had a special sound that you had to witness 'live' at the Vanguard. I consider myself truly blessed to have witnessed this GREAT musical ensemble. Thad Jones....your arrangements are FAB-U-LOUS!!!!
A joy to watch him conduct this band. I've never heard him speak before. He sounds just like Elvin speaking. Great to hear Richard Davis here and all the band. Just a great sound. Thank you for posting this.
I was at the Village Vanguard on Monday nights about 10 times throughout the 70’s. I saw Jon Faddis the first time playing with Thad and Mel’s band. What excitement!
It is very rare, indeed, to see Jerry Dodgion playing live, as he was always a behind-the-scenes studio musician. Rare as well to see Eddie Daniels playing tenor sax instead of clarinet. Very cool video!
I just discovered this gem. Thanks, Ake Eriksson, for giving us this treasure. One of my favorite bands of all time. So much talent. Mel Lewis is the quintessential big band drummer. The arrangements always cook. The solos are endlessly interesting and inventive. The groove is unstoppable. The players are totally into it. Thad Jones knew how to lead a band.
I am so glad to hear this version, having memorized the original recording of Second Race made 52 years ago. After the "shout chorus" there was this hip lick played by two saxes in harmony. When the chart was published, I didn't see the lick. In this version, at 8:53 (as the piano solo begins), we hear the lick - played by the trombones. Obviously, this was cooked-up in 1967 and handed down through the band. The depth of great jazz is like Bach - constantly fulfilling -
Timeless!!! I was lucky to spend a couple afternoons with Al Porcino in his Munich apartment. An unforgettable experience, listening to recordings and hearing his stories.....
Para mí la continuación contemporánea de la gran orquesta de Duke Ellington, Thad Jones un grandioso músico, trompetista y eximio arreglador, esta big band fue inigualable, viva la buena musica! Y Mel Lewis 'un monstruo'!
The old big bands were famous, for dancing, matchmaking, good times, war memories, movies, etc., but, these newer generation bands were just sensational in advanced and balanced musicianship and qualities over the whole musical spectrum of time, tone, taste, technique, tensions, treatment. Far out, almost too good, beyond comparison and category, here is a lesson, a course, a degree, in big band quality performance.
@@homzymusic I love no band or orchestra more than incomparable Ellington. My comments here refer to this band in context, being accessible in modern times.
I wish Joe Henderson stayed in this band longer, the recordings of him in this band and his big band album are all really great big band recordings and he solos really well in them.
What a wonderful band. I was lucky to hear several incarnations of it on their visits to Chicago, and every one was a thrill. I learned to appreciate Mel during his time on the Kenton band and in the west coast studios, and Thad's writing for Basie, and vocal charts for Bill Henderson. But the stuff he did for this band was on another plane, and I still love watching him conduct.
Snooky Young & Al Porcino on trumpets I & II...that'll work! Legends all around. Thanks for posting. I got to hear the band with Thad 3 times. Blown away every time.
First time I heard this band live was in December 1973 at New York's Village Vanguard. Since then I've seen it literally dozens of times. Never get tired.
While living in NYC, I´ve heard the band in Village Vanguard live at least 5 times /February, March 1978/, just before Thad left for Europe. The same musicians except Joe Henderson. Once Hank Jones replaced Sir Roland Hanna. Incredible band !!!
jon ancker how cool is that. I saw them once when they came LOS ANGELES. I was amazed by the fact that the band had such a big sound and yet they were not loud. A big sound without hurting my ears. Very sophisticated. I’ll never forget it.
Joe Henderson and Eddie Daniels.!! Can it get any better than that. What is passed of as music today may be ok but there is no comparison to the rich sound of real musical artists. Dedicated to their craft.
Mel Lewis drove his band with a musicality differing from his peers. Having one of his signature series ride cymbals myself, I am hearing his strikes on different areas of his to compliment sax, then trumpet, piano, and bass. Each zone is alive with harmonics that blend with and emphasize the tonality of whatever instrument is in the lead. Of course, his percussive punches give these greats the big band wonderful pulse and thrust.
I took lessons from Mel in 1977 when he visited Boulder with the Thad and Mel BB - I as already a working drummer but was humbled by how much I did not know about m y own instrument. Mel was a gentle giant on the drum throne.
I love this ... especially their earlier more groove-oriented material, eg Groove Merchant & Jive Samba. How about that awesome flute solo in Jive Samba (Jerome Richardson .. Jerry Dodgion @ the ride-out). My fav arr of this tune
Fuuuuuuuuudge ME richard williams killing it in the beginning like absolutely no lead up just melt your face off right up front?! Then... THEN JOE HENDERSON decides to take up richard williams unspoken challenge and make sure the audience is still alive. This band know's what's up! So good...
A magical time gone by! I challenge anyone to come up with anything close to these collectively talented souls in today's world. Happy for them, sad for us....... but at least we have it recorded! One of my favorite moments 35:27 - Check out the intensity of Thad Jones as he not only conducts but is ONE with the music (but this is a constant, of course). And that Henderson vs. Daniels battle at 35:40 - there are no winners and no losers!
It saddens me to have to say that these extremely gifted/talented Jazz musicians we see here on this fantastic clip, are no more. I can’t think of any band/group that can even get close to this marvellously drivin’ Jazz-music these days. This kind of absolute top level groovy (merchant) big-band Jazz is not played anymore. Thanks therefore that we’ve got their recorded legacy. Yes, Dexter, was indeed there, this was recorded in Denmark where he lived. Enjoy & Cheers!
Tuve la suerte de ver esta misma big band un lunes en el Village Vanguard de la inconmensurable ciudad de New York., yo llegué al extasis, fue inolvidable para mi.
Black race had shown how genius they are by coming up and develop the jazz musical idiom. The world might not notice the good the black race offers to nature and the world. Black people always bring joy & happiness to the world. The same cannot be said about their counterpart which strive money and subjugation of other by all means necessary.Let them make weapons and bombs blacks will make peace and joy to the world up until they understand that humans are created to forge & form a collision love & equality for one another and enjoy the blessings of being human on earth. Jazz has those foregoing characteristics
Every Tuesday night at the Vanguard... Thad and Mel were the House band... oh, the 1970s in the Village! I was 16 in '76 and went all the time- before all this stupid 21 drinking age and the police state! :)
+vova47 Zoiks- I'm sorry for the screwup, boss. Hey, I bet we were four feet from each other back then and never knew. Did you grow up in NYC? Did you go to the West End too? To see "The Countsmen" Basie alumni on the weekends?
+soapbxprod It's alright, what's one day between friends?!! We might have been real close indeed. I didn't grow up in NYC but i lived there for twenty years. I used to go to West End frequently and saw many great people there. I miss the hell out that joint!!... Be well, my friend!
