Take 5 With Thad Jones & Mel Lewis

What is now known as the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra started decades ago as the Thad Jones & Mel Lewis Orchestra. For five decades, until interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, they were featured every Monday Night at the Village Vanguard. Today I salute this great big band with this short playlist.

We start with a performance that was televised in 19668, "Just Blues."

 Next is a selection from their 1970 album "Consummation," "A Child Is Born."

From a 1969 performance in Denmark, we hear "Central Park North."

From the 1976 album "New Life" we hear "Cherry Juice."

Finally from the "Central Parl North" album, they perform "Jive Samba."

As a bonus, we view a mini-documentary that was prepared in conjunction with the Resonance Records release of "All My Yesterdays," documenting the initial performances of this historic band.