1. Thaddeus Joseph Jones was an American jazz trumpeter, composer and bandleader who has been called "one of the all-time greatest jazz trumpet soloists".
17 Facts About Thad Jones
1. 2.
Thad Jones was born in Pontiac, Michigan, to Henry and Olivia Jones, a musical family of 10.
3.
Thad Jones served in US Army bands during World War II.
4.
Many years later, while teaching jazz at the Royal Danish Conservatory in Copenhagen, Thad Jones studied composition formally during this period.
5.
In 1959, Thad Jones played cornet on Thelonious Monk's 5 by Monk by 5 album.
6.
Thad Jones left the Basie Orchestra in 1963 to become a freelance arranger and musician in New York City.
7.
In July 1979, Thad Jones formed a new big band, Eclipse, with which he recorded a live album, Eclipse.
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Thad Jones further composed for the Danish Radio Big Band and taught jazz at the Royal Danish Conservatory in Copenhagen.
9.
Thad Jones studied composition formally during this period, and took up the valve trombone.
10.
In February 1985, Thad Jones returned to the US to take over the leadership of the Count Basie Orchestra, upon his former leader's death.
11.
Thad Jones fronted the Basie band on numerous tours, writing arrangements for recordings and performances with vocalist Caterina Valente and the Manhattan Transfer, but had to step down due to ill health.
12.
Thad Jones had a daughter Thedia and a son Bruce in the US.
13.
In January 1979, Thad Jones suddenly moved to Copenhagen, Denmark, to the great surprise of his New York bandmates.
14.
Thad Jones returned to the US in 1985 to lead the Count Basie Orchestra after his former leader's death.
15.
Thad Jones returned to his home in Copenhagen for the last few months of his life.
16.
Thad Jones died of cancer on August 20,1986, aged 63, at Herlev Hospital.
17.
Thad Jones is buried in Copenhagen's Vestre Kirkegard Cemetery.