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 and ...

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". Early life, family and education Thad Jones was born i ...

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 Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. (USSR), commonly known as the Soviet Union, was a List of former transcontinental countries#Since 1700, transcontinental country that spanned much of Eurasia from 1922 until Dissolution of the Soviet ...

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 jaz ...

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 Thaddeus Joseph Jones (March ...

'' in 2009.

History

Thad Jones professionally played two instruments, the trumpet and cornet. His older brother was

Hank Jones Henry Jones Jr. (July 31, 1918 – May 16, 2010) was an American jazz pianist, bandleader, arranger, and composer. Critics and musicians have described Jones as eloquent, lyrical, and impeccable. In 1989, The National Endowment for the Arts h ...

, 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 albums as ''My Fa ...

, 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 Territory bands were dance bands that crisscrossed specific regions of the United States from the 1920s through the 1960s. Beginning in the 1920s, the bands typically had 8 to 12 musicians. These bands typically played one-nighters, six or seven n ...

and later with

Charles Mingus Charles Mingus Jr. (April 22, 1922 – January 5, 1979) was an American jazz Double bass, upright bassist, composer, bandleader, pianist, and author. A major proponent of collective Musical improvisation, improvisation, he is considered one of ...

. 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 19 ...

, 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 Boyd Albert Raeburn (October 27, 1913 – August 2, 1966) was an American jazz bandleader and bass saxophone, bass saxophonist. Career He was born in Faith, South Dakota, United States. Raeburn attended the University of Chicago, where he led a ...

, 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 ...

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. He arranged music for D ...

. In 1961, he toured the Soviet Union with veteran big band leader

Benny Goodman Benjamin David Goodman (May 30, 1909 – June 13, 1986) was an American clarinetist and bandleader, known as the "King of Swing". His orchestra did well commercially. From 1936 until the mid-1940s, Goodman led one of the most popular swing bi ...

. 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) (born 1960), American musician and composer * Maria Schneider (ca ...

Bob Brookmeyer Robert Edward "Bob" Brookmeyer (December 19, 1929 – December 15, 2011) was an American jazz valve trombone, valve trombonist, Jazz piano, pianist, arranger, and composer. Born in Kansas City, Missouri, Brookmeyer first gained widespread public ...

Jim McNeely Jim McNeely (born May 18, 1949) is a jazz pianist, composer, arranger and faculty. Biography Jim McNeely was born in Chicago, Illinois. He earned a Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Illinois, and moved to New York City in 1975. ...

, and

Bob Mintzer Robert Alan Mintzer (born January 27, 1953) is an American jazz saxophonist, composer, arranger, and big band leader. Early life Mintzer was born and raised in a Jewish family in New Rochelle, New York, on January 27, 1953. He attended the Inte ...

. 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 William Thomas Berry (born July 31, 1958) is an American musician who was the drummer for the alternative rock band R.E.M. Although best known for his economical drumming style, Berry also played other instruments, including guitar, bass guita ...

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 WEPN (AM), WEVD, WNYC, WNSW, WJDM (New Jersey), WJDM and WPAT (AM), WPAT in the New York City market. He worked on the radio for 63 years in the New York City area, up ...

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, Stepha ...

, Hank Jones,

Jerome Richardson Jerome Richardson (December 25, 1920 – June 23, 2000) was an American jazz musician and woodwind player. He is cited as playing one of the earliest jazz flute recordings with his work on the 1949 Quincy Jones arranged song "Kingfish". Caree ...

Jerry Dodgion Jerry Dodgion (August 29, 1932 – February 17, 2023) was an American jazz saxophonist, clarinetist and flautist. Dodgion was born in Richmond, California. He played alto sax in middle school and began working locally in the San Francisco area ...

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 Jon Faddis (born July 24, 1953) is an American jazz trumpet player, conductor, composer, and educator, renowned for both his playing and for his expertise in the field of music education. Upon his first appearance on the scene, he became known ...

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 Quentin "Butter" JacksonFe ...

, 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'' (recorded 1966, released

Resonance Resonance is a phenomenon that occurs when an object or system is subjected to an external force or vibration whose frequency matches a resonant frequency (or resonance frequency) of the system, defined as a frequency that generates a maximu ...

, 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 Ruth Alston Brown (; January 12, 1928 – November 17, 2006) was an American singer-songwriter and actress, sometimes referred to as the "Honorific nicknames in popular music, Queen of R&B". She was noted for bringing a popular music, pop music ...

* ''

Monday Night ''Monday Night, Recorded Live at the Village Vanguard'' is a 1968 big band jazz album recorded at the Village Vanguard in New York City by The Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra and released on the Solid State Records. All tracks are included on M ...

'' (Solid State, 1968) * '' Jazz Casual – Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra...'' (recorded 1968) - DVD * '' Central Park North'' (Solid State/Blue Note, 1969) * ''

Basle, 1969 ''Basle, 1969'' (also released as ''Live on Tour Switzerland'') is a big band jazz album recorded by the The Thad Jones/ Mel Lewis Orchestra, Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Jazz Orchestra in Basle (Basel), Switzerland for a Swiss radio broadcast. It was ...

'' (TCB, 1969 el. 1996 * ''

Consummation The consummation of a marriage, or simply consummation, is the first officially credited act of sexual intercourse following marriage. In many traditions and statutes of civil or religious law, the definition usually refers to penile–vaginal p ...

'' (Solid State/

Blue Note Blue Note Records is an American jazz record label now owned by Universal Music Group and operated under Capitol Music Group. Established in 1939 by German-Jewish emigrants Alfred Lion and Max Margulis, it derived its name from the blue no ...

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

Denon is a Japanese electronics company dealing with audio equipment. The Denon brand came from a merger of Denki Onkyo (not to be confused with the other Onkyo) and others in 1939. It originally started as Nippon Chikuonki Shoukai in 1910 by Freder ...

, 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. Etymology The word "potpourri" comes into English from ...

'' (

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

, 1974) * '' Thad Jones/Mel Lewis and Manuel De Sica'' (

Pausa In linguistics, pausa (Latin for 'break', from Greek παῦσις, ''pâusis'' 'stopping, ceasing') is the hiatus between prosodic declination units. The concept is somewhat broad, as it is primarily used to refer to allophones that occur in ...

, 1974) * ''

Suite for Pops ''Suite for Pops'' is a 1975 big band jazz album recorded by the Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Jazz Orchestra and released on the A&M Horizon label. Track listing LP side A: # "Meetin' Place" # "The Summary" # "The Farewell" # "Toledo By Candlelight ...

'' (

Horizon The horizon is the apparent curve that separates the surface of a celestial body from its sky when viewed from the perspective of an observer on or near the surface of the relevant body. This curve divides all viewing directions based on whethe ...

/ 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 (formerly EMI Group plc until 2007; originally an initialism for Electric and Musical Industries, also referred to as EMI Records or simply EMI) was a British transnational conglomerate founded in March 1931 in London. At t ...

, 1977;

Inner City The term inner city (also called the hood) 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. Soc ...

, 1978) - with

Monica Zetterlund Monica Zetterlund (born Eva Monica Nilsson; 20 September 1937 – 12 May 2005) was a Swedish jazz singer and actress. She represented Sweden in the 1963 Eurovision Song Contest with the jazz ballad " En gång i Stockholm" ("Once Upon a T ...

* '' 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 ancient Greek ...

, 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 (masonry), mortar, and covering a surface. Mosaics are often used as floor and wall decoration, and ...

) (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 and Robert Woods. Based in Cleveland, Ohio, the label has had a long assoc ...

, 1979) * ''Play the Compositions of Herbie Hancock (Live in Montreux)'' ( MPS 1980;

, 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 Ive or IVE may refer to: Music * Ive (group), a South Korean girl group * I've Sound (aka "I've"), a Japanese musical group People * Ive (given name), a Croatian and Slovenian given name * Bert Ive (1875–1939), British-born Australian cinema ...

(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 oceanic divisions, with an area of about . It covers approximately 17% of Earth's surface and about 24% of its water surface area. During the Age of Discovery, it was known for se ...

, 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 used to describe the majority of lands of Earth's Western Hemisphere, particularly the Americas, and sometimes Oceania."America." ''The Oxford Companion to the English Language'' (). McArthur, Tom, ed., 1992. New York: ...

, 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) *

(1972–1975) *

Al Porcino Al Porcino (May 14, 1925 – December 31, 2013) was an American lead trumpeter. He was born in New York, United States. Porcino began playing professionally in 1943, and played in many of the big bands of the 1940s and 1950s, including those of Ge ...

(1975–1976) * Earl Gardner (1976–2005) * Nick Marchione (2005–present) ;Trumpets *

(1966–1979) * Danny Stiles (1966) * Jimmy Owens (1966) *

(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 music, rock, and R&B. Early life Brecker was ...

(1968) * Danny Moore (1968–1971) *

(1969–1970 and 1975–1976) *

Cecil Bridgewater Cecil Bridgewater (born October 10, 1942) is an American jazz trumpeter and composer. 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, ...

(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. He was a founding member of the band Blood, Sweat & Tears. Biography From his birth place of New York City, United States, he studie ...

(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, a ...

(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 ( ...

(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 Ch ...

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

(1966–1968) *

Garnett Brown Garnett Pompilius Brown (January 31, 1936 – October 9, 2021) was an American 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 U ...

(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 Marshall Gilkes (born September 30, 1978) is an American jazz trombonist and composer. Biography Marshall Gilkes was born in Camp Springs, Maryland to a musical family; his mother was a classical vocalist and pianist and his father was a Eupho ...

(2019–present) ;Trombones * Jack Rains (1966) *

Tom McIntosh Thomas S. "Tom" McIntosh (February 6, 1927 - July 26, 2017) was an American jazz trombonist, composer, arranger, and conductor. McIntosh was born in Baltimore, Maryland, the eldest of six siblings. He also had an elder half-sibling by his fath ...

(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 Benjamin Gordon Powell Jr. (March 1, 1930 – June 26, 2010) was an American jazz trombonist. He played both standard (tenor) trombone and bass trombone. Biography Born Benjamin Gordon Powell Jr. in New Orleans, Louisiana, he first played pr ...

(1969–1971) *

Quentin Jackson Quentin "Butter" JacksonFe ...

(1972–1975) * Billy Campbell (1972–1977) * Alex Kofman (1975) *

Janice Robinson Janice Robinson (born December 8, 1967) is an American singer and songwriter. She is known for being a member of the 1990s Eurodance group Livin' Joy with whom she released the global dance hit "Dreamer" in 1994. She departed from the group f ...

(1975–1976) * John Mosca (1975–2018) * Clifford Adams (1976–1977) * Lolly Bienenfeld (1978–1980) * Lee Robertson (1978–1981) *

Ed Neumeister Ed Neumeister (born 1952) is a composer and jazz trombonist. He was born in Topeka, Kansas. An early 2000s collaboration with Jay Clayton and Fritz Pauer was released as the album ''3 for the Road''. Around 2012, Neumeister took teaching posts ...

(1981–1999) * Jason Jackson (1998–present) *

Luis Bonilla Luis Diego Bonilla (October 12, 1965) is an American jazz trombonist of Costa Rican descent. He is also a producer, composer, and educator. Biography Early life, musical education and influences Luis Bonilla was born and raised in Eagle Rock, ...

(1999–2019) * Dion Tucker (2019–present) ;Bass trombone * Cliff Heather (1966–1974) * Dave Taylor (1974–1975) * Earl McIntyre (1975–1998) *

Douglas Purviance Douglas Purviance (born July 18, 1952 in Turner Station, Maryland) is a jazz trombonist. He began his professional career as a member of the Stan Kenton Orchestra, playing bass trombone and tuba from 1975 to 1977. Mostly, he works as a studio sess ...

(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 Steve Coleman (born September 20, 1956) is an American saxophonist, composer, bandleader and music theorist. In 2014, he was named a MacArthur Fellow. Early life Steve Coleman was born and grew up in South Side, Chicago. He started playing ...

(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. Garrett's primary instruments are ...

(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 S ...

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

(1966–1969) *

Seldon Powell Seldon Powell (November 15, 1928 – January 25, 1997) was an American tenor saxophonist and flautist whose work spanned multiple genres, including jazz and rhythm and blues. Background Powell worked with Tab Smith (1949), Lucky Millinder (194 ...

(1968) *

Joe Henderson Joe Henderson (April 24, 1937 – June 30, 2001) was an American jazz tenor saxophonist and very occasional flute player. In a career spanning more than four decades, Henderson played with many of the leading American players of his day an ...

(1969) *

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

(1977 summer tour) * Bob Rockwell (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 multi-instrumentalist. T ...

(1980–1991) *

(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 Orche ...

(1991–present) ;Second tenor saxophone *

(1966–1972) * Ron Bridgewater (1972–1975) *

Gregory Herbert Gregory Herbert (May 19, 1947 – January 31, 1978) was an American jazz saxophonist and flautist. Herbert started on alto saxophone at age 12. In 1964 he did a short stint in the Duke Ellington Orchestra, then studied at Temple University from 1 ...

(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 Gary Brown may refer to: Sports * Gary Brown (running back) (1969–2022), American football running back and coach * Gary Brown (offensive lineman) (born 1971), American football player * Gary Brown (rugby union) (born 1980), Irish rugby player ...

(1979) * Gary Pribeck (1979–1980) *

Gary Smulyan Gary Smulyan (born April 4, 1956) is an American jazz musician who plays baritone saxophone. He studied at Hofstra University before working with Woody Herman. He leads a trio with bassist Ray Drummond and drummer Kenny Washington.

(1980–present) * Frank Basile (regular sub) ;Guitar * Sam Herman (1966–1968) ;Piano *

(1966) *

(1966–1975) *

Walter Norris Walter Norris (December 27, 1931 – October 29, 2011) was an American pianist and composer. Biography Early life and career Born in Little Rock, Arkansas, on December 27, 1931, Norris first studied piano at home with his mother, then with J ...

(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 Mull ...

(1976–1978) *

(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) *

(1995–2019) *

Adam Birnbaum Adam Birnbaum (born 1979) is an American jazz pianist, composer, and arranger. He was the winner of the 2004 American Piano Awards Cole Porter Fellowship in Jazz. Life and career Birnbaum was born in 1979 in Boston, Massachusetts.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 * Michae ...

(regular sub 1991-2016) ;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 Rufus Reid (born February 10, 1944, in Atlanta, Georgia) is an American jazz bassist, educator, and composer. Biography Reid was raised in Sacramento, California, where he played the trumpet through junior high and high school. Upon graduation ...

(1977–1980) *

Ray Drummond Ray Drummond (born November 23, 1946, in Brookline, Massachusetts) is an American jazz bassist and teacher. He also has an Master of Business Administration, MBA from Stanford University, hence his linkage to the Stanford Jazz Workshop. He can be ...

(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. B ...

(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 ag ...

(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 lesso ...

(1991–1992) * John Riley (1992–present) ;Vocals *

Dee Dee Bridgewater Dee Dee Bridgewater (née Denise Garrett, May 27, 1950) is an American jazz singer and actress. She is a three-time Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter, as well as a Tony Award-winning stage actress. For 23 years, she was the host of National ...

(1971–1974) *

(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) Jazz ensembles from New York City Hard bop ensembles Big bands Swing music Blue Note Records artists Musical groups established in 1965 Musical groups disestablished in 1978