Artist:Thad Jones
Song I'll Remember April
Album:The Complete Albums Collection 1954-1959
Most jazz fans should be familiar with trumpeter Thad Jones' big band recordings. But you may not be familiar with his 50s recordings as a leader. He was born Mar. 28, 1923 in Pontiac, MI. His older brother was pianist Hank Jones. His younger brother was drummer Elvin Jones. A self taught musician, Jones began to play professionally at age 16. He played in US Army bands during WWII. After his military service, Jones played in various Midwest bands until he joined Count Basie in 1954. At the same time Jones recorded as a leader for Charles Mingus' Debut label. So Jones could have had a solo career but he seemed to prefer being in a big band. I'll Remember April is from the 1954 10 inch LP The Fabulous Thad Jones. This was Jones' debut as a leader. Musicians are Frank Wess on tenor sax and flute, Hank Jones on piano, Charles Mingus on bass and Kenny Clarke on drums. I'll Remember April is a jazz standard written by Gene de Paul, Patricia Johnston and Don Raye. Dick Foran sang it in the 1942 film Ride 'Em Cowboy. Woody Herman was the first to record it in 1942. The song was never a big hit but it became popular with jazz musicians after Charlie Parker recorded it on the 1950 album Charlie Parker with Strings. Mingus reissued these recordings in 1957 with some recordings from Thad Jones/Charles Mingus Jazz Collaborations Vol. 1 on a 12 inch LP called Thad Jones. Jones also recorded for Blue Note, Prestige and United Artists. All these albums are on this 4CD box set from the reissue label Enlightenment. After Jones left the Basie band in 1963, Jones formed The Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra in 1965. They were very successful until Jones moved to Denmark in 1979. He became leader of The Danish Radio Big Band. After Count Basie's death, Jones returned to the US to take over the Basie band. But he got sick and died on Aug. 20, 1986 at age 63. Here's a video of I'll Remember April by Thad Jones.
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