One More: Music of Thad Jones (CD) by Various Artists

CD. To celebrate the 40th anniversary of the formation of the Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra, and as an excuse to play the compositions of the late great Thad Jones, a group of top jazz veterans was enlisted for this project. Michael Patterson arranged 11 of Jones' songs, adapting Thad's own arrangements, which were originally made for either combos or a big band, for the all-star octet. Each of the veteran musicians had an association with Thad Jones. Happily, they all sound in pretty good form, with the tenors of Benny Golson, James Moody, and Frank Wess battling it out on "One More." A tape of the late pianist Sir Roland Hanna is used during the first part of Jones' most famous original, "A Child Is Born." Jimmy Owens proves to be an excellent fill-in for Thad; this is one of his finest recordings. It is also fitting that Thad's older brother, Hank Jones, is on piano. The final number, Thelonious Monk's "Monk's Mood," is included because it was one of Thad Jones' favorite songs. All in all, this is a well-conceived and very musical tribute. ~ Scott Yanow, Rovi