Approaching Standards
Monday March 28th, 2011 with Bill Krause
The Music of Thad Jones

Today we’re going to explore the compositions of an unsung hero. He was a self-taught musician with a bop heritage, influenced by Dizzy Gillespie, but as a composer and bandleader he is truly remembered. Of him, Charles Mingus once commented “He was Bartok with valves, and a pencil guided by God.” He was the younger brother of the late Hank Jones, and the older brother of the late Elvin Jones. And with the amazing Mel Lewis, well Thad Jones became one of the most respected jazz arrangers and composers.