Opening Night (Jones / Lewis album)

Infobox Album | Name = Opening Night
Type = live album
Artist = Thad Jones / Mel Lewis Jazz Orchestra


Released = 2000
Recorded = 1966 February 7, The Village Vanguard, New York City
Genre = Jazz
Length = 71:55
Label = Alan Grant Presents
Producer = Alan Grant
Reviews = * Allmusic Rating|4.5|5 [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:wbfpxql0ldke link]
Last album =
This album = "Opening Night" (1966)
Next album = "Presenting Thad Jones / Mel Lewis and the Jazz Orchestra" (1966)

"Opening Night" is a big band jazz recording of the Thad Jones / Mel Lewis Jazz Orchestra playing at the Village Vanguard club in New York City in February of 1966. This was the first performance of the group at this club although the recording was not released until 2000. [Ken Dryden, Allmusic [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:wbfpxql0ldke link] . Accessed 2008 April 29.] A 40+ year tradition for Monday nights at the Village Vanguard began from this first evening for the Thad Jones / Mel Lewis Jazz Orchestra which became the Mel Lewis Jazz Orchestra which became the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra.

Track listing

# "Introduction (Mel Lewis & Alan Grant)" – 1:50
# "Big Dipper" – 5:10
# "Polka Dots and Moonbeams" (Van Heusen, Burke) – 3:47
# "Once Around" – 12:37
# "All My Yesterdays" – 4:08
# "Morning Reverend" – 4:50
# "Low Down" – 4:25
# "Lover Man" (Davis, Ramirez, Sherman) – 5:08
# "Mean What You Say" – 5:35
# "Don't Ever Leave Me" – 4:15
# "Willow Weep for Me" (Ronell) – 6:25
# "The Little Pixie" – 13:45

All songs composed by Thad Jones except as noted.

Personnel

* Thad Jones – flugelhorn
* Mel Lewis – drums
* Hank Jones – piano
* Richard Davis – bass
* Sam Herman – guitar
* Jerome Richardson – alto saxophone, soprano saxophone, clarinet, bass clarinet, flute
* Jerry Dodgion – alto saxophone
* Joe Farrell – tenor saxophone, clarinet, flute
* Eddie Daniels – tenor saxophone, clarinet, bass clarinet
* Pepper Adams – baritone saxophone
* Snooky Young – trumpet
* Jimmy Owens – trumpet
* Bill Berry – trumpet
* Jimmy Nottingham – trumpet
* Bob Brookmeyer – trombone
* Jack Rains – trombone
* Garnett Brown – trombone
* Cliff Heather – trombone

References / External Links

Thad Jones / Mel Lewis Jazz Orchestra discography