Trumpet, Cornet, Composer, Arranger | 1923-1986

Born Thaddeus Joseph Jones in Pontiac, Michigan on 28 March 1923, Thad Jones became one of jazz's most influential composers, arrangers, and trumpeters, part of a legendary family with pianist Hank Jones and drummer Elvin Jones. Self-taught from age 13, he performed professionally at 16 before serving in US Army bands (1943-1946). After developing his skills in Detroit's Blue Bird Inn, he joined Count Basie's "New Testament" band in May 1954, contributing nearly two dozen arrangements including "The Deacon", "H.R.H. (Her Royal Highness)", and "Counter Block" whilst playing featured cornet on classics like "April in Paris".

In 1965 Jones and Mel Lewis co-founded the Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra, debuting at Village Vanguard in February 1966 and beginning a legendary Monday night residency that modernised big band music through harmonically rich, dissonant voicings. His best-known composition is the standard "A Child Is Born". Charles Mingus called him "the greatest trumpet player I've heard in this life". In 1978 he moved to Copenhagen, leading the Danish Radio Big Band, forming Eclipse, and teaching at the Royal Danish Conservatory. He returned to the United States in 1985 to lead the Count Basie Orchestra after Basie's death but retired due to ill health, dying in Copenhagen on 20 August 1986.