Live At The Montmartre: A Good Time Was Had By Allaaaaacmm

After cornetist-arranger Thad Jones suddenly decided to leave both the United States and the orchestra that he co-led with drummer Mel Lewis in 1977, he settled in Copenhagen. He soon became the chief conductor and main arranger for the Danish Radio Big Band. This CD of previously unreleased material has some of the finest recordings of his European period. Jones contributed five compositions to this set, arranging those pieces while having guitarist Bo Sylven, keyboardist Ole Kock Hansen, and Ray Pitts arrange the other five numbers. Jones' conducting was apparently quite inspiring and the 20-piece orchestra swings hard throughout. Jones only takes one solo (being showcased on "Old Folks"), but there are many good spots for trumpeters Idrees Sulieman and Allan Botschinsky, Jesper Thilo (on alto and soprano), tenor saxophonist Bent Jaedig, and keyboardist Ole Kock Hansen. In addition, trombonist Richard Boone sings on "I Got Rhythm." High points include spirited versions of "Tip Toe," "Kids Are Pretty People," Dizzy Gillespie's "Frelimo," and the joyous "A Good Time Was Had by All." Recommended. ~ Scott Yanow|

Cornetist Thad Jones (pictured on the cover playing valve trombone) does not actually perform on this CD, and he is heard leading the Danish Radio Big Band rather than the orchestra he had co-led with Mel Lewis, but this is a highly recommended set. The 20-piece big band is superb, and they do an expert job of playing such Jones charts as his classic "Tip Toe" (which is given an interpretation as strong as the Jones/Lewis earlier version), "Kids Are Pretty People," "Old Folks" and "A Good Time Was Had By All." Not all of the lead voices are identified, unfortunately, but such top players as Jesper Thilo (heard on alto rather than his usual tenor), Bent Jaedig on tenor, trumpeters Idrees Sulieman and Allan Botschinsky, and trombonist Richard Boone (who takes a typically eccentric vocal on "I Got Rhythm") are among the many soloists. Although a little-known set, this CD is highly recommended. ~ Scott Yanow