Thad Jones - The Magnificent Thad Jones (1956)

Note: the CD I listened to was a EU import of the 2007 Rudy Van Gelder Edition which includes 2 bonus tracks.

This was the first Blue Note release for Jones as a leader. While he later became more widely known for co-leading the Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra, The Magnificent Thad Jones remains a high point of his small-group work. According to the Blue Note website, the album "is widely regarded as the greatest small group recording of the trumpeter and composer’s career." The solos throughout make it seem the band was having a great time making the recording. The more I listen to this hard bop CD, the more I enjoy it.

Mono recording at the Van Gelder Studio on July 9 & 14, 1956. Original album liner notes by Leonard Feather and 2007 reissue liner notes by Bob Blumenthal.

Jones - trumpet
Billy Mitchell - tenor sax
Barry Harris - piano
Percy Heath - bass
Max Roach - drums

Reviews/ratings:

• Billboard: "This is the greatest Jones album yet."
• The Penguin Guide to Jazz (5th ed., 2000): ★★★½
• The Rolling Stone Jazz & Blues Album Guide (1999): ★★★★
• The Virgin Encyclopedia of Jazz (1999): ★★★★★

Album chart peaks:

• US Billboard 200: Did not chart
• DownBeat Jazz Bestsellers: #20

Tracks:

1. April In Paris: 1932 standard from the Broadway musical, Walk A Little Faster.
2. Billie-Doo: a Jones original
3. If I Love Again: 1933 song from the Broadway musical, Hold Your Horses.
4. If Someone Had Told Me: song from the 1952 movie musical, About Face.
5. Thedia: a Jones original

Bonus tracks:

6. I've Got A Crush On You: Gershwin standard from the 1928 Broadway musical, Treasure Girl.
7. Something To Remember You By: from the 1930 Broadway musical revue, Three's A Crowd.

While the original album is fantastic, I find myself preferring the two beautiful bonus tracks. The final cut, Something To Remember You By, is quite different than anything on the album as it features Jones with a muted trumpet accompanied only by Kenny Burrell on guitar. Sublime.

Personal Memory Associated with this CD: None, but when I made a weak attempt at being a magician as a prepubescent boy, I gave myself the nickname "Mark the Magnificent," so Thad and I have that commonality.