"In 1956, trumpeter Thad Jones was making his way forward as a leader and apart from his important role with the Count Basie Orchestra, having recorded for some smaller labels. But this release for Blue Note most firmly established him as one of the premier musicians and composers in modern jazz; it's titled "Magnificent" for many great reasons. There are several precedents set here; the initial foray out of Detroit for the young pianist and fellow Michiganian Barry Harris, the identifying of a personalized small group, as well as individual sound of Jones, and his ability to easily bring great jazz icons together as a team. With Detroit's Billy Mitchell on tenor sax, Percy Heath's bass, and stellar drummer Max Roach, this quintet makes truly great jazz music together. The musicianship being at such a lofty plateau, so intelligently selected and executed, this CD is generally regarded as the very best work of Jones, later big-band recordings with Mel Lewis notwithstanding. " (Michael G. Nastos, Allmusic)
"Of the many albums recorded by the Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra, this was the greatest. This set introduced Jones' best-known composition, "A Child Is Born," and also has a colorful rendition of his sly "Tiptoe," and finds the big band ripping the roof off during the lengthy and very exciting "Fingers." The all-star cast (which includes flugelhornist Jones, drummer Lewis, trumpeter Marvin Stamm, trombonist Jimmy Knepper, tenor great Billy Harper, the reeds of Jerome Richardson, Jerry Dodgion and Eddie Daniels, keyboardist Roland Hanna, and bassist Richard Davis, among others) is well served by Thad Jones' inventive and swinging arrangements. A classic." (Scott Yanow, Allmusic)
Bugelspeler Jones en percussionist Lewis verrasten in 1969 met deze gedreven en drijvende progressieve bigbandplaat (met regelmatig een haast funk swingende feel), met knap spel van Jimmy Knepper (t) en Joe Farrell (ts). Fraai ensemblespel en sterke soli.
Opnamen uit 1978. Hoogtepunt uit Thad's latere carrieredeel als bigbandleider en een van de beste bigbandplaten van de laatste decennia. Met Jones zelf op trompet (eigenlijk cornet), 'he plays his socks off'. (PJG)
"Four different American trumpeters sit in separately with a trio led by pianist Louis Van Dijk during sessions recorded between 1970 and 1975 for radio broadcast in Holland. Gillespie alternates between muted and open horn in a superb take of "Autumn Leaves" and introduces the trio to his spirited blues "Quickly Home," which is powered by the crisp brushwork of drummer John Engels. Thad Jones covers "Deep Purple" and "Yours Is My Heart Alone," two once popular but now faded numbers, beautifully interpreted by Jones and extends over ten minutes. During his 1972 session, Art Farmer is heard on flügelhorn, his instrument of choice at the time; Farmer's soft yet elegant takes of "A Sleeping Bee" and "Some Other Time" emphasize his lyrical playing. Conte Candoli, who recorded rather sporadically as a leader, lets sparks fly with a driving interpretation of "On Green Dolphin Street" and a swinging take of the old chestnut "S'posin'," showing the influence of Gillespie. Recommended." (Ken Dryden, Allmusic)
