The Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Jazz Orchestra was a jazz

big band A big band or jazz orchestra is a type of musical ensemble of jazz music that usually consists of ten or more musicians with four sections: saxophones, trumpets, trombones, and a rhythm section. Big bands originated during the early 1910s ...

formed by trumpeter

Thad Jones Thaddeus Joseph Jones (March 28, 1923 – August 20, 1986) was an American jazz trumpeter, composer, and bandleader who has been called "one of the all-time greatest jazz trumpet soloists". Biography Thad Jones was born in Pontiac, Michigan, U ...

and drummer

Mel Lewis Melvin Sokoloff (May 10, 1929 – February 2, 1990), known professionally as Mel Lewis, was an American jazz drummer, session musician, professor, and author. He received fourteen Grammy Award nominations. Biography Early years Lewis was ...

in New York in 1965.Lisik/Allen. 50 Years at the Village Vanguard:Thad Jone, Mel Lewis and the Village Vanguard Orchestra. Sky Deck Music, 2017. pp. 8-9 The band performed for twelve years in its original incarnation, including a 1972 tour of the

Soviet Union The Soviet Union,. officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. (USSR),. was a List of former transcontinental countries#Since 1700, transcontinental country that spanned much of Eurasia from 1922 to 1991. A flagship communist state, ...

during the height of the Cold War. The collaboration ended in 1978 with Jones suddenly moving to Copenhagen, Denmark, after which the band became the Mel Lewis Jazz Orchestra. Since the death of Lewis in 1990 it has been known as the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra. They have maintained a Monday-night residency at the

Village Vanguard The Village Vanguard is a jazz club at Seventh Avenue South in Greenwich Village, New York City. The club was opened on February 22, 1935, by Max Gordon. Originally, the club presented folk music and beat poetry, but it became primarily a jazz ...

jazz club in New York for five decades.Wong, Herb. ''The Village Vanguard Jazz Orchestra'', Jazz Education Journal, Nov./Dec. 2003, Vol. 36, #3, pp. 42-46. The band won Grammy Awards for the album '' Live in Munich'' in 1978 and for the album ''

Monday Night Live at the Village Vanguard ''Monday Night Live at the Village Vanguard'' is an album by the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra. It won the Grammy Award for Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album in 2009. Most of the songs and arrangements are by Thad Jones, who founded the group as the Tha ...

'' in 2009.

History

Thad Jones played trumpet and cornet. His older brother was Hank Jones, a jazz pianist, and his younger brother was

Elvin Jones Elvin Ray Jones (September 9, 1927 – May 18, 2004) was an American jazz drummer of the post-bop era. Most famously a member of John Coltrane's quartet, with whom he recorded from late 1960 to late 1965, Jones appeared on such widely celebrate ...

, a jazz drummer. Thad Jones had worked as a professional since he was 16, when he played with Hank. After leaving the military in 1946, he performed with territory bands and later with Charles Mingus. From 1954–1963, he was a member of the

Count Basie Orchestra The Count Basie Orchestra is a 16 to 18 piece big band, one of the most prominent jazz performing groups of the swing era, founded by Count Basie in 1935 and recording regularly from 1936. Despite a brief disbandment at the beginning of the 195 ...

, for whom he composed and arranged. Mel Lewis, a jazz drummer, had been playing in big bands since he was 15, first with Boyd Raeburn, then

Alvino Rey Alvin McBurney (July 1, 1908 – February 24, 2004), known by his stage name Alvino Rey, was an American jazz guitarist and bandleader. Career Alvin McBurney was born in Oakland, California, United States, but grew up in Cleveland, Ohio. Early i ...

Stan Kenton Stanley Newcomb Kenton (December 15, 1911 – August 25, 1979) was an American popular music and jazz artist. As a pianist, composer, arranger and band leader, he led an innovative and influential jazz orchestra for almost four decades. Though K ...

Terry Gibbs Terry Gibbs (born Julius Gubenko; October 13, 1924) is an American jazz vibraphonist and band leader. He has performed or recorded with Tommy Dorsey, Chubby Jackson,Theroux, Gary"Gibbs, Terry".''Grove Music Online''. Oxford University Press. R ...

, and

Gerald Wilson Gerald Stanley Wilson (September 4, 1918 – September 8, 2014) was an American jazz trumpeter, big band bandleader, composer, arranger, and educator. Born in Mississippi, he was based in Los Angeles from the early 1940s. In addition to being a ...

. In 1961, he toured the Soviet Union with veteran big band leader Benny Goodman. After Lewis moved to New York City, he met Thad Jones and started the Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra at the end of 1965. Beginning in February 1966, the band played every Monday night at the Village Vanguard. Since Lewis's death in 1990, the band has been called the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, continuing its tradition as the Village Vanguard's house band. The Thad Jones-Mel Lewis Orchestra was arguably the most influential big band since the swing era. Lewis brought a loose, small group style of drumming into the structure of a big band. His cymbal work became a hallmark of the Jones/Lewis Orchestra. Jones's arrangements influenced later, large-ensemble composers, such as

Maria Schneider Maria Schneider may refer to: * Maria Schneider (politician) (born 1923), East German politician * Maria Schneider (actress) (1952–2011), French actress * Maria Schneider (musician) Maria Lynn Schneider (born November 27, 1960) is an Americ ...

Bob Brookmeyer Robert Edward "Bob" Brookmeyer (December 19, 1929 – December 15, 2011) was an American jazz valve trombonist, pianist, arranger, and composer. Born in Kansas City, Missouri, Brookmeyer first gained widespread public attention as a member of G ...

, Jim McNeely, and Bob Mintzer. The Jones/Lewis Orchestra was an unusual band, creating new styles, succeeding in an era when big bands were unpopular and remaining integrated during racially tense periods. The band's members included Bill Berry,

Billy Harper Billy Harper (born January 17, 1943) is an American jazz saxophonist, "one of a generation of Coltrane-influenced tenor saxophonists" with a distinctively stern, hard-as-nails sound on his instrument.Chris KelseyBilly Harper Biography ''AllMusi ...

, Bob Brookmeyer,

Danny Stiles Danny Stiles (December 2, 1923 – March 11, 2011) was a radio personality at WEVD-AM, WNYC, WNSW, WJDM and WPAT in the New York City market. He worked on the radio for 63 years in the New York City area, up to the time of his death. Early li ...

Eddie Daniels Eddie Daniels (born October 19, 1941) is an American musician and composer. Although he is best known as a jazz clarinetist, he has also played saxophone and flute as well as classical music on clarinet. Early life, family and education Daniel ...

George Mraz George Mraz (born Jiří Mráz; 9 September 1944 – 16 September 2021) was a Czech-born American jazz bassist and alto saxophonist. He was a member of Oscar Peterson's group, and worked with Pepper Adams, Stan Getz, Michel Petrucciani, Stephan ...

, Hank Jones,

Jerome Richardson Jerome Richardson (November 15, 1920 – June 23, 2000) was an American jazz musician, tenor saxophonist, and flute player, who also played soprano sax, alto sax, baritone sax, clarinet, bass clarinet, alto flute and piccolo. He played with C ...

Jerry Dodgion Jerry Dodgion (born August 29, 1932) is an American jazz saxophonist and flautist. Dodgion was born in Richmond, California. He played alto sax in middle school and began working locally in the San Francisco area in the 1950s. He played in bands w ...

Jimmy Knepper James Minter Knepper (November 22, 1927 – June 14, 2003) was an American jazz trombonist. In addition to his own recordings as leader, Knepper performed and recorded with Charlie Barnet, Woody Herman, Claude Thornhill, Stan Kenton, Benny Goo ...

Joe Farrell Joseph Carl Firrantello (December 16, 1937 – January 10, 1986), known as Joe Farrell, was an American jazz multi-instrumentalist who primarily performed as a saxophonist and flutist. He is best known for a series of albums under his own name o ...

, Jon Faddis,

Marvin Stamm Marvin Louis Stamm (born May 23, 1939) is an American jazz trumpeter. Career Stamm was born in Memphis, Tennessee, United States. Stamm began on trumpet at age twelve. He attended North Texas State University, where he was a member of the One ...

Pepper Adams Park Frederick "Pepper" Adams III (October 8, 1930 – September 10, 1986) was an American jazz baritone saxophonist and composer. He composed 42 pieces, was the leader on eighteen albums spanning 28 years, and participated in 600 sessions as a s ...

, Quentin Jackson, Richard Davis, Richard Williams,

Roland Hanna Roland Pembroke Hanna (February 10, 1932 – November 13, 2002) was an American jazz pianist, composer, and teacher. Biography Hanna studied classical piano from the age of 11, but was strongly interested in jazz, having been introduced to i ...

, and

Snooky Young Eugene Edward "Snooky" Young (February 3, 1919 – May 11, 2011) was an American jazz trumpeter. He was known for his mastery of the plunger mute, with which he was able to create a wide range of sounds. Biography Young was lead trumpeter of t ...

Awards and honors

Grammy Awards

*Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Jazz Orchestra and Mel Lewis Jazz Orchestra , - , style="text-align:center;", , ''Live At The Village Vanguard'' (album) , rowspan="12", Best instrumental Jazz Performance, Big Band , , - , style="text-align:center;", , '' Central Park North'' (album) , , - , style="text-align:center;", , ''Consummation'' (album) , , - , style="text-align:center;", , ''Potpourri'' (album) , , - , style="text-align:center;", , ''New Life'' (album) , , - , style="text-align:center;", , ''Live In Munich'' (album) , , - , style="text-align:center;", , ''Naturally'' (album) , , - , style="text-align:center;", , ''Bob Brookmeyer - Composer/Arranger'' (album) , , - , style="text-align:center;", , ''Make Me Smile & Other New Works by Bob Brookmeyer'' (album) , , - , style="text-align:center;", , ''20 Years At The Village Vanguard'' (album) , , - , style="text-align:center;", , ''The Definitive Thad Jones'' (album) , , - , style="text-align:center;", , ''The Definitive Thad Jones (Volume 2: Live from the Village Vanguard)'' (album) , , - *The Vanguard Jazz OrchestraOfficial awards results for Grammy.com
/ref> , - , style="text-align:center;", , ''Can I Persuade You?'' (album) , rowspan="5", Best instrumental Jazz Performance, Big Band , , - , style="text-align:center;", , ''The Way: Music Of Slide Hampton'' (album) , , - , style="text-align:center;", , ''Up From The Skies: Music Of Jim McNeely'' (album) , , - , style="text-align:center;", , ''Monday Night Live At The Village Vanguard'' (album) , , - , style="text-align:center;", , ''OverTime: Music Of Bob Brookmeyer'' (album) , , -

From ''DownBeat''

Discography

The Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra

* ''

All My Yesterdays ''All My Yesterdays'' is a big band jazz recording of the Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Jazz Orchestra playing at the Village Vanguard club in New York City in February and March 1966. The February 7 tracks are the first recordings of the group at this ...

'' (recorded 1966, released

Resonance Resonance describes the phenomenon of increased amplitude that occurs when the frequency of an applied Periodic function, periodic force (or a Fourier analysis, Fourier component of it) is equal or close to a natural frequency of the system ...

, 2016) - Live recording including the band's first performance (Monday, Feb. 7, 1966 at the Village Vanguard) * '' Presenting Thad Jones/Mel Lewis and the Jazz Orchestra'' ( Solid State, 1966) * '' Presenting Joe Williams and Thad Jones/Mel Lewis, the Jazz Orchestra'' (Solid State, 1966) - with Joe Williams * '' Live at the Village Vanguard'' (Solid State, 1967) * '' The Big Band Sound of Thad Jones/Mel Lewis featuring Miss Ruth Brown'' (Solid State, 1968) - with Ruth Brown * '' Monday Night'' (Solid State, 1968) * '' Jazz Casual – Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra...'' (recorded 1968) - DVD * '' Central Park North'' (Solid State/Blue Note, 1969) * '' Basle, 1969'' (TCB, 1969

el. 1996 EL, El or el may refer to: Religion * El (deity), a Semitic word for "God" People * EL (rapper) (born 1983), stage name of Elorm Adablah, a Ghanaian rapper and sound engineer * El DeBarge, music artist * El Franco Lee (1949–2016), American p ...

* ''

Consummation In many traditions and statutes of civil or religious law, the consummation of a marriage, often called simply ''consummation'', is the first (or first officially credited) act of sexual intercourse between two people, following their marriage t ...

'' (Solid State/

Blue Note In jazz and blues, a blue note is a note that—for expressive purposes—is sung or played at a slightly different pitch from standard. Typically the alteration is between a quartertone and a semitone, but this varies depending on the musical c ...

, 1970) * '' Live in Tokyo'' ( Denon, 1974) * ''

Potpourri Potpourri ( ) is a mixture of dried, naturally fragrant plant materials used to provide a gentle natural scent, commonly in residential settings. It is often placed in a decorative bowl. The word "potpourri" comes into English from the French ...

'' (

Philadelphia International Philadelphia International Records (PIR) was an American record label based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It was founded in 1971 by songwriting and production duo Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff along with their longtime collaborator Thom Bell. ...

, 1974) * '' Thad Jones/Mel Lewis and Manuel De Sica'' ( Pausa, 1974) * '' Suite for Pops'' ( Horizon/ A&M, 1975) * '' New Life: Dedicated to Max Gordon'' (Horizon/A&M, 1975) * '' Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra With Rhoda Scott'' (aka ''Rhoda Scott in New York with the Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra'') ( Barclay, 1976) * '' Live in Munich'' (Horizon/A&M, 1976) * '' It Only Happens Every Time'' (

EMI EMI Group Limited (originally an initialism for Electric and Musical Industries, also referred to as EMI Records Ltd. or simply EMI) was a British Transnational corporation, transnational Conglomerate (company), conglomerate founded in March 1 ...

, 1977;

Inner City The term ''inner city'' has been used, especially in the United States, as a euphemism for majority-minority lower-income residential districts that often refer to rundown neighborhoods, in a downtown or city centre area. Sociologists some ...

, 1978) - with

Monica Zetterlund Monica Zetterlund (born Eva Monica Nilsson; 20 September 1937 – 12 May 2005) was a Swedish jazz singer and actress. Through her lifetime, she starred in over 10 Swedish film productions and recorded over 20 studio albums. She gained int ...

* '' Body and Soul'' (aka ''Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra in Europe'') (

West Wind A west wind is a wind that originates in the west and blows in an eastward direction. Mythology and Literature In European tradition, it has usually been considered the mildest and most favorable of the directional winds. In Greek mythology, ...

, 1978) * '' A Touch of Class'' (West Wind, 1978) * '' The Blue Note Reissue Series: Thad Jones/Mel Lewis'' (recorded 1966–1970, Blue Note) (compilation) - 2LP * '' The Complete Solid State Recordings of the Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra'' (recorded 1966–1970,

Mosaic A mosaic is a pattern or image made of small regular or irregular pieces of colored stone, glass or ceramic, held in place by plaster/mortar, and covering a surface. Mosaics are often used as floor and wall decoration, and were particularly pop ...

) (compilation) - 5CD * '' In Europe'' (ITM, 2007) (compilation) * '' The Complete (Live in) Poland Concerts 1976 & 1978'' (Gambit, 2009) (compilation)

The Mel Lewis Jazz Orchestra

* ''Naturally'' (

Telarc Telarc International Corporation is an American audiophile independent record label founded in 1977 by two classically trained musicians and former teachers, Jack Renner (recording engineer), Jack Renner and Robert Woods (producer), Robert Woods. ...

, 1979) * ''Play the Compositions of Herbie Hancock (Live in Montreux)'' ( MPS 1980; Pausa, 1982) * ''Bob Brookmeyer - Composer/Arranger (Recorded in Concert at the Village Vanguard, February 1980'' (Gryphon, 1980) * ''Make Me Smile & Other New Works by Bob Brookmeyer'' (aka ''Mel Lewis and the Jazz Orchestra...Featuring the Music of Bob Brookmeyer'') ive(Finesse/CBS, 1982; Red Baron/CBS, 1993) * ''20 Years at the Village Vanguard'' (

Atlantic The Atlantic Ocean is the second-largest of the world's five oceans, with an area of about . It covers approximately 20% of Earth's surface and about 29% of its water surface area. It is known to separate the " Old World" of Africa, Europe an ...

, 1985) * ''Soft Lights and Hot Music'' (Musicmasters, 1988) * ''The Definitive Thad Jones'' ( Musicmasters, 1989) * ''The Definitive Thad Jones (Volume 2: Live from the Village Vanguard)'' (Musicmasters, 1990) * ''To You: A Tribute to Mel Lewis'' (Musicmasters, 1991)

The Vanguard Jazz Orchestra

* ''Lickety Split: Music of Jim McNeely'' (

New World The term ''New World'' is often used to mean the majority of Earth's Western Hemisphere, specifically the Americas."America." ''The Oxford Companion to the English Language'' (). McArthur, Tom, ed., 1992. New York: Oxford University Press, p. ...

, 1997) * ''Thad Jones Legacy'' (New World, 1999) * ''Can I Persuade You?'' ( Planet Arts, 2002) * ''The Way: Music of Slide Hampton'' (Planet Arts, 2004) * ''Up from the Skies: Music of Jim McNeely'' (Planet Arts, 2006) * ''

'' (Planet Arts, 2008) - 2CD * ''Forever Lasting: Live in Tokyo'' (Planet Arts, 2011) - 2CD * ''OverTime: Music of Bob Brookmeyer'' (Planet Arts, 2014)

Alumni

;Lead trumpet *

(1966–1972) * Jon Faddis (1972–1975) * Al Porcino (1975–1976) * Earl Gardner (1976–2005) * Nick Marchione (2005–present) ;Trumpets *

(1966–1979) * Danny Stiles (1966) * Jimmy Owens (1966) * Bill Berry (1966–1968) *

Jimmy Nottingham James Edward Nottingham, Jr. (December 15, 1925 – November 16, 1978), also known as Sir James, was an American jazz trumpeter and flugelhorn player. He was born in New York, United States, and started performing professionally in 1943 in Brookl ...

(1966–1969) * Richard Williams (1966–1969) *

(1966–1973) *

Randy Brecker Randal Edward Brecker (born November 27, 1945) is an American trumpeter, flugelhornist, and composer. His versatility has made him a popular studio musician who has recorded with acts in jazz, rock, and R&B. Early life Brecker was born on No ...

(1968) * Danny Moore (1968–1971) * Al Porcino (1969–1970 and 1975–1976) *

Cecil Bridgewater Cecil Bridgewater (born October 10, 1942) is an American jazz trumpeter. Biography Bridgewater was born in Urbana, Illinois and studied at the University of Illinois. He and brother Ron formed the Bridgewater Brothers Band in 1969, and in the 197 ...

(1971–1976) * Stephen Furtado (1972–1975) * Jim Bossy (1972–1975) *

Lew Soloff Lewis Michael Soloff (February 20, 1944–March 8, 2015) was an American jazz trumpeter, composer, and actor. Biography From his birth place of New York City, United States, he studied trumpet at the Eastman School of Music and the Juilliard Sc ...

(1975) * Sinclair Acey (1975–1976) *

Waymon Reed Waymon Reed (January 10, 1940, Fayetteville, North Carolina - November 25, 1983, Nashville, Tennessee) was an American jazz trumpeter. While he was principally a bebop soloist, he also worked in rhythm and blues ( R&B). He never had any children, ...

(1975–1977) * Earl Gardner (1975–2005) * Lynn Nicholson (1976–1977) * Frank Gordon (1976–1977) * Jeff Davis (1976–1977) * Larry Moses (1977–1980) *

Laurie Frink Laurie Ann Frink (August 8, 1951, Pender, Nebraska – July 13, 2013, New York City) was an American jazz trumpeter who worked primarily in big band idioms. Frink attended the University of Nebraska (1969-1972) and studied under Jimmy Maxwell (1 ...

(1978–1987) * Irvin Stokes (1978) * Simo Salminen (1978–1980) * Ron Tooley (1978–1980) * John Marshall (1979–1983) * Joe Mosello (1980–2005) *

Tom Harrell Tom Harrell (born June 16, 1946) is an American jazz trumpeter, flugelhornist, composer, and arranger. Voted Trumpeter of the Year of 2018 by ''Jazz Journalists Association'', Harrell has won awards and grants throughout his career, including mul ...

(1982) * Jim Powell (1982–1995) * Glenn Drewes (1983–2005) *

Ryan Kisor Ryan Kisor (born April 12, 1973) is an American jazz trumpeter. A native of Sioux City, Iowa, Kisor learned trumpet from his father, Larry Kisor, and started playing in a local dance band (the Eddie Skeets Orchestra) at age ten. Kisor began clas ...

(1995–1997) * Scott Wendholt (1997–present) * Frank Greene (2005–2009) *

Terell Stafford Terell Stafford (born November 25, 1966) is a professional jazz trumpet player and current Director of Jazz Studies at the Boyer College of Music and Dance at Temple University. Terell Stafford was born in Miami, Florida, and raised in both Chi ...

(2005–present) * Tanya Darby (2009–2016) * John Chudoba (2016-present) ;Lead trombone *

(1966–1968) *

Garnett Brown Garnett Brown (January 31, 1936 – October 9, 2021) was a jazz trombonist who worked with The Crusaders, Herbie Hancock, Lionel Hampton, Earth Wind and Fire and others. Born in Memphis, Tennessee, he graduated from the University of Arka ...

(1968–1969) *

Eddie Bert Edward Joseph Bertolatus (May 16, 1922 – September 27, 2012), also known as Eddie Bert, was an American jazz trombonist. Music career He was born in Yonkers, New York, United States. Bert received a degree and a teaching license from the Manha ...

(1969–1972) *

(1972–1975) * Billy Campbell (1975–1977) * John Mosca (1977–2018) * Marshall Gilkes (2019-present) ;Trombones * Jack Rains (1966) * Tom McIntosh (1966–1967) *

(1966–1969) *

Jimmy Cleveland James Milton Cleveland (May 3, 1926 – August 23, 2008) was an American jazz trombonist born in Wartrace, Tennessee.

(1968) *

(1968–1975) * Benny Powell (1969–1971) * Quentin Jackson (1972–1975) * Billy Campbell (1972–1977) * Alex Kofman (1975) *

Janice Robinson Janice Robinson (born 8 December 1967) is an American singer and songwriter, initially known as a member of 1990s Italian Eurodance group Livin' Joy before she embarked on a solo career. Early life and career Robinson, raised in Garfield, Ne ...

(1975–1976) * John Mosca (1975–2018) * Clifford Adams (1976–1977) * Lolly Bienenfeld (1978–1980) * Lee Robertson (1978–1981) * Ed Neumeister (1981–1999) * Jason Jackson (1998–present) * Luis Bonilla (1999–2019) * Dion Tucker (2019-present) ;Bass trombone * Cliff Heather (1966–1974) * Dave Taylor (1974–1975) * Earl McIntyre (1975–1998) * Douglas Purviance (1978–present) ;French horn * Stephanie Fauber (1979–1991) ;Saxophones ;Lead alto saxophone *

(1966–1970) *

(1971–1978) *

Dick Oatts Richard Dennis Oatts (born April 2, 1953) is an American jazz saxophonist, multi-instrumentalist, composer, and educator. Biography While growing up in Des Moines, Iowa, Oatts gained an interest in music from his father, Jack Oatts, who was a sa ...

(1978–present) ;Second alto saxophone *

(1966–1970) * Ed Xiques (1971–1977) *

(1977–1978) * Steve Coleman (1978–1980) *

Kenny Garrett Kenny Garrett (born October 9, 1960) is an American post-bop jazz musician and composer who gained recognition in his youth as a member of the Duke Ellington Orchestra and for his time with Miles Davis's band. His primary instruments are alto and ...

(1980–1982) *

Bill Easley Bill Easley (born January 13, 1946) is an American jazz musician who plays saxophone, flute, and clarinet. Early life and education Easley was born and raised in Olean, New York. He began playing music at the age of 13 and studied at Memphis ...

(1982) * Ted Nash (1982–1991) * Billy Drewes (1991–present) ;First tenor saxophone *

(1966–1969) *

Seldon Powell Seldon Powell (15 November 1928 – 25 January 1997) was an American soul jazz, swing, and R&B tenor saxophonist and flautist born in Lawrenceville, Virginia. He worked with Tab Smith (1949), Lucky Millinder (1949–51), Neal Hefti, and L ...

(1968) * Joe Henderson (1969) *

(1970–1975) * Frank Foster (1975) * Larry Schneider (1975–1978) *

(1977 summer tour) *

Bob Rockwell Bob Rockwell (born May 1945 in Miami, Oklahoma) is a jazz saxophonist. He was born in the U.S. but emigrated to Denmark in 1983. Biography Rockwell was raised in Minneapolis, and in his early career he toured the U.S. in rock and rhythm and blu ...

(1978–1980) *

Joe Lovano Joseph Salvatore Lovano (born December 29, 1952)"Joe Lovano." ''Contemporary Musicians''. Vol. 13. Farmington Hills, MI: Gale, 1994. Retrieved via ''Biography in Context'' database, May 5, 2017. is an American jazz saxophonist, alto clarin ...

(1980–1991) * Bob Mintzer (1981 Rome tour) *

Rich Perry Rich Perry is an American jazz tenor saxophonist from Cleveland, Ohio. Perry attended Bowling Green State University for a year before moving to New York. He toured with the Glenn Miller Orchestra in 1975 and with The Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orch ...

(1991–present) ;Second tenor saxophone *

(1966–1972) * Ron Bridgewater (1972–1975) * Gregory Herbert (1975–1977) *

(1977–1980) * Gary Pribeck (1980–1982) * Ralph Lalama (1983–present) ;Baritone saxophone *

(1966–1977) * Eddie Xiques (1977–1978) * Charles Davis (1978) * Gary Brown (1979) * Gary Pribeck (1979–1980) * Gary Smulyan (1980–present) * Frank Basile (regular sub) ;Guitar * Sam Herman (1966–1968) ;Piano * Hank Jones (1966) *

(1966–1975) * Walter Norris (1975–1976) *

Harold Danko Harold Danko (born June 13, 1947 in Ohio) is an American jazz pianist. Danko attended Youngstown State University. Among his credits are work in the big bands of Woody Herman and Thad Jones/Mel Lewis, as well as smaller ensembles with Gerry Mul ...

(1976–1978) * Jim McNeely (1978–1984) *

Kenny Werner Kenny Werner (born November 19, 1951) is an American jazz pianist, composer, and author. Early life Born in Brooklyn, New York, on November 19, 1951 and then growing up in Oceanside, Long Island, Werner began playing and performing at a young ...

(1984–1995) * Jim McNeely (1995–2019) * Adam Birnbaum (2019-present) *

Michael Weiss Michael Weiss may refer to: Sports * Michael Weiss (figure skater) (born 1976), American former figure skater * Michael Weiss (swimmer) (born 1991), American swimmer * Michael Weiss (triathlete) (born 1981), Austrian triathlete and cyclist * Mich ...

(regular sub) ;Bass * Richard Davis (1966–1972) *

Gene Perla Gene Perla (born March 1, 1940) is an American jazz bassist. Career At the Berklee School of Music and the Boston Conservatory Perla concentrated on piano before moving to double bass. In 1969 he spent one year as a member of the Woody Herman Or ...

(1972) *

(1972–1976) * Steve Gilmore (1975–1976) * Rufus Reid (1977–1980) * Ray Drummond (1978) * Bob Bowman (1976 and 1979) * John Lockwood (1980) * Marc Johnson (1981–1982) *

Dennis Irwin __NOTOC__ Dennis Irwin (November 28, 1951 in Birmingham, Alabama - March 10, 2008) was an American jazz double bassist. He toured and recorded with John Scofield and the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra among others, and played on over 500 albums. Bio ...

(1983–2008) * Phil Palombi (2008–2009) * David Wong (2009–present) ;Drums *

(1966–1990) *

Dennis Mackrel Dennis Mackrel (born April 3, 1962) is an American jazz drummer, composer, and arranger who was a member of the Count Basie Orchestra and the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra. Career The son of two jazz enthusiasts, Mackrel started playing drums at age ...

(1990–1991) *

Danny Gottlieb Daniel Richard Gottlieb (born April 18, 1953) is an American drummer. He was a founding member of the Pat Metheny Group and was co-founder of Elements with Mark Egan. Biography Gottlieb was born in New York City on April 18, 1953. He took less ...

(1991–1992) * John Riley (1992–present) ;Vocals * Dee Dee Bridgewater (1971–1974) * Ruth Brown (guest) * Joe Williams (guest)

References

External links

''Downbeat'' interview with Thad Jones and Mel LewisVanguard Jazz Orchestra Official WebsiteVillage VanguardJazz Assisi, featuring Vanguard Jazz Orchestra.50 Years at the Village Vanguard: Thad Jones, Mel Lewis and the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra
{{DEFAULTSORT:Jones, Thad, Mel Lewis Jazz Orchestra, The 1965 establishments in New York City 1978 disestablishments in New York (state) American jazz ensembles from New York City Hard bop ensembles Big bands Swing music Musical groups from New York City Blue Note Records artists Jazz musicians from New York (state) Musical groups established in 1965 Musical groups disestablished in 1978