Thad Jones & Mel Lewis - The Groove Merchant (1968)

[cubbiefn]

I think the Bassist took a melody from John Cage's 4'33". Awesome piece though, I enjoyed playing it in Jazz Band.

[colourfulwithaU]

Best performance from a horn section that I've ever seen. Seriously. Wow.

[lefeverthierry]

Man that swings so badly

[vini90trumpet]

Who's on Bass?

[castratephilanderers]

@vini90trumpet

The impressive bassist is the ever brilliant Richard Davis who has been teaching Jazz Bass theory, composition and playing as well as Race Relations Studies at University of Wisconsin at Madison since 1977. That's after playing, writing and recording with many Jazz luminaries also on the under-rated Bruce Springsteen Jazz song located on the fantastic Classic Rock album "Born To Run" titled 'Meeting Across The River'; (Piano/Trumpet/Upright Bass/Vocals...with a story). : ) [oxo]

[jassroots]

I guess 4 people don't like to groove

[mrcountbasie]

Great!!

[damickelsen]

Man, Roland Hanna kills it so hard. Also, HUGE props to the bassist..I've never seen anyone do that.

[TheDescubre]

The Bari showed up thats for sure :D

[BlueNinjaGaming]

about to Play this song in my highschool band I play the tenor sax and that soli is gunna be intense

[TheDescubre]

The notes are so swung they're overlapping omg cream myself its so jive-ing.

[thebookofjoy]

wow..

[xXKromeumXx]

best part? bass solo.

[kingorthy]

EVERYTHING GOOD about big band jazz was present big time in this group--so much talent!!

[poyklr]

Is that Jimmy Cleveland sitting 3rd bone chair?

[overlordspencerman]

Is that Joe Williams?

[drumjunkie99]

if steve carrel played drums

[hmckenzie217]

this is great!

[icemanhank]

Thanks for posting this... certainly a great and swingin' band

[PowerSalad]

My jazz education was Thad, Billy Byers, Sammy Nestico etc thanks to a hip band prof! This band was "epitome" on so many levels, from the status of each performer in his own right to Thad's unsurpassed writing, Mel's groove and taste, etc. I was too young to see the band in its time, but I'm so lucky I got a chance to meet and talk with Thad after a Basie concert in 1985 after he returned to the US. Class gentleman and one of the top of the top composers in jazz. Thanks so much for posting this!

[KaRidder234]

Mr. Pepper Adams can be seen here ;)

Great sound!

[andrewojwilson]

Absolutely love this tune... I got to enjoy playing this one on vibes... (have 2 drummers) but felt gutted to have missed out playing it on my first instrument - maybe next time! I'm 18 - some kids still listen to and love this stuff, I certainly do! x

[esdjiraan]

That bassist /knows/ /what's/ /up/.

[jonnyboy559]

@esdjiraan That's the great Richard Davis.

[OwrKeeng]

Ah so annoying kids existed back then too. 3:12

[ollithehorn]

you got to love that reed section. simply worth admiring how they combine this extremely difficult section-solo with the players´ own easiness. grooves like hell!

greets from germany.

[1014JB]

We playing dis song in my jazz band at skewl...holy snickerdoodles it's hard as crap!

[jazzuffe]

Music never get´s better. The best Big-Band ever. "Sir" Roland Hanna!! seldom have a "Sir" beeing more in place.

[dmcdaniel9]

3:29....10/10

[kylegeee]

damn groovy piano solo

[caquish]

With Joe Henderson on Tenor is problably the 1969 European tour that took the band to Basel and Paris among other cities. Anybody knows where to get the whole concert on video??

[tonybrundage]

im playin this composition with my highschool!! GO REEDS!!

[TheMushroomsAreHere]

AAHHHH!

I cant this tune out of my head!

[AmaneSuganami]

Groovin'

[casbont]

Eddie Daniels on 2nd Tenor, pretty sure he's white!

[PhiyukYu]

I saw a vanguard concert last night. They played 8 songs in three hours with an intermission

[TheMushroomsAreHere]

MY GOD!!!!

the reed section were so stunning they almost brought me to tears!

[8ozzon]

I was at their concert in Stockholm 1968. Maybe these pictures and sound stem from there?

[Weirdasian010]

Music isn't about color but ones ability to play. oh how I wish i was one of the people sitting in the audience.

[macmini661]

YEAH REED SECTION!!

[jdgrab1]

No band ever has swung or ever will swing this hard!

[meettheandersounds]

I dare you to try not smiling while you watch this.

[HeadHunter92294]

who dare dislike this?

[twipper3]

Eddie Daniels on tenor?

[SoxFanWilly]

is there a white guy in there?!

[bobjazz11]

@SoxFanWilly

Well to start with ..... Mel Lewis (drummer and co-leader) ....... !

[guttapercha3]

@SoxFanWilly......and Eddie Daniels

[dontdodat00O]

@SoxFanWilly lol ya actually i think more than black guys honestly

[Kickerinthehead]

@SoxFanWilly at least two crackers in the sax section

[warwolfii]

@SoxFanWilly The Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra (which was my favorite big band) featured a number of white musicians besides Mel Lewis, notably Pepper Adams, Bob Brookmeyer, Joe Farrell, Eddie Daniels and Jerry Dodgion, among others that I can't recall. It was an outstanding band and listening to these tracks brings me back to those Monday nights at the Village Vanguard. Man, that was music!

[soapbxprod]

@warwolfii ROLAND HANNA! SWING BABY SWING!

[stanfrow]

@SoxFanWilly

did you even watch the video?

[DaDrumPlyr]

@SoxFanWilly jerk........

[Andy6310z]

@SoxFanWilly

Haha! Yeah, the drummer, 1 of the trumpets, 2 of the trombones, and 3 of the saxes.....

This band was about skills, not colour :)

[hottsaxx]

@SoxFanWilly.....and Eddie Daniels, Pepper Adams, Bob Brookmeyer, Randy Brecker, Jerry Dodgion...do your homework!!

[WuoriG]

@SoxFanWilly

Pepper Adams, Eddie Daniels, Jerry Dodgion,Eddie Bert, and Jimmy Knepper are the ones I recognize, in addition to Mel.

[jazzuffe]

@WuoriG And Joe Henderson, Jerome Richardsson and all...

[DerBlasewitzer]

why is there no "LOVE" button?

[da19lila38]

What a talented family! Hank Jones, Thad Jones and Elvin Jones are all renowed jazz musicians...

[BlueinGreen2]

I'm sorry but could you swing a little less hard, please?

[ndtpt]

nice

[laurentba004]

Nice sax tutti :)

[sarzfilms]

That is my new favorite bass solo of all time

[spadge1able]

JUST FANTASTIC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!­!!!!!!!!!!!!

[LadeeMelody]

Terrific!!!!

[TroyBertrand]

LOVE this video Bob, great tune, arrangements, great big band, and the interaction between Thad and the band is priceless. Maybe my favorite of my favorites here, I find myself listening to it over and over and playing it for jazz friends.

[vreterij]

thanks for uploading!

[echoftw]

i love this video so much... i could watch it on loop, like a movie

[gbgoul]

I met Richard Davis in the early 70's when he taught at the Jazzmobile in Halem NY. great teacher and a gentleman. I saw him live at the Buddy Rich club where he backed Joe Williams. Played his ass off! He waved to me but I thought he was waving at someone else. Came down after the set and said "Too good to wave back." I was withmy future wife - was I embarassed. He laughed about it and sat down at my table.

[BrunoJazzmanLeicht]

Sir Roland Hanna's solo is a perfect lesson in swing per se. Notice Richard Davis's smile when a sudden glimpse of Erroll Garner shines through Sir Roland's brilliant performance.

Soprano lead à la Charlie Barnet, very tricky lines, executed as if it would be as easy as a children's song. "THE Big Band" indeed. What a section work, what a relaxed showmanship: Humor, joy, and - above all! - groove, as it should be merchandised anytime when swinging' people meet.

Thanks for posting this video!

[homer5678]

@tptguitar5280 Tell me about it. My high school is flooded with bullshit "music" that I have to deal with on a daily basis. It is, to put it lightly, ear rape.

[mackitymac]

I love Roland Hanna- I never have seen someone attack a piano like that before

[JoeBrownDrums]

madddest richard davis.

[linlasj]

Snooky Young on lead trumpet is The Man.

[linlasj]

Snooky Young is the man. Lead Trumpet

[connsimons]

the fact that there are two people who viewed this that didn't like it is insane.

[saxbari]

What a Kickass sax soli!!!

[nextbigtimepro]

That bass player is awesome!!! i was cracking up histerically during his solo

[Tedmund13]

This video only has about 72 and a half thousand views. That's a cryin' shame. This band is so incredible.

[stabbyman3]

though everyone is spectacular...the trumpets particularly impress me, those high notes are played with such confidence!

[BuckshotLaFunke]

I like Hanna's playing, but three whole minutes of piano before brass and reeds come in...

PS: I play piano

[KnysnaLagoonMusic]

Such a great group. Thanks so much for sharing!! Swingin yeah!

[epasurr]

richard davis looks like the mormon from the season of house where he gets all the new interns, alot more swingin tho

[vedelweis]

Amazing clip! :D

[daraze99]

Richard davis got that swaaaaangg !!

[Gimmer3]

I just love these cool cats. Its just wonderful to watch and listen!

[Blackthorne369]

FABULOUS!

[ronandelisle]

So good. Piano intro and sax soli are bomb.

[nospacebar14]

goddamn it snooky

[hareandr]

Roland Hana phrases my face off.

[jazzuffe]

Snooky Young!! Fantastic.

[beedoe51]

This SWINGSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!

[denbrunemil]

YYYYYYYYYYY

[deadzior]

the main melody is very famous anyone knows where it was used?

[codyhenrytrombone]

Amen!

[FandKProductionz]

richard davis has the wierdest eyes. ,! i agree. bari was too loud in the beginning. that sax soli rox

[linlasj]

This band simply is the best. It is just the way it is.

[MrBosnian78]

ok, i see you snooky

[protestxday]

bari too loud in the beginning! in the sax soli everything is amazing

[bcindahouse1]

super awesome sax soli. really challenging.

[vedelweis]

That is swinging at the max! Fantastic music!

Thad Jones...He can sure make it groove!

[dontdodat00O]

Thad cracks me up. He looked like one hell of a guy

[strawberrysax]

Yes.

[iamkellen]

The bass solo! Expose the walk! awesome

[gregoryburrows]

That's just the best.  Swing, groove and joy--humans at their best.

[ukelelito]

What is a GROOVE MERCHANT? Can anybody tell me?' I'm argentinian . Thank you

[roka899]

Thad Jones really looks like his brother ELVIN, also speaks the same.

[thomassenjazz]

boy ... is this nice!!!

[pricelesspistola321]

godDAMN this shit swings like it ain't nobody's business!

thad jones/mel lewis FTW

[soapbxprod]

@pricelesspistola321 So true my brother! Rock the house! Cookin' with GAS! The sax section is heaven on earth!

[drifteromega]

what a piano solo

[echoftw]

i came

[mikeos1]

I saw this band at Ronnie's around the same time. What an experience.

[beedoe51]

5 STARS!!!!!! This band swings it's ass off!!!!! Thad's voicings are pefection!!!

[GeorgeBurrito]

They had the most Groovin' sax section since Ellington. No comparison! 5 stars!

[ever4Jonas]

WHOA 5:08 !!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Zombbg4]

If swing and groove were poisonous we'd all have just been given a lethal dose.

[axemanfan]

The big band that I'm in is doing this, and our director mentioned a recording of this tune in which one of the trumpeters plays a G (concert F) above triple-high C. Any idea where I could find this recording?

[clevoguer]

Respectfully from one trumpet player to another, who cares about the high notes ? This is not what this piece is about - Snooky Young lays down the standard for all lead players on this recording...simply sublime playing from the entire band!

[curiousnomad]

You can really tell that Thad and Elvin were brothers.

[epasurr]

HOLY FUCKIING SHHIT THIS SWINGS

[magichristo]

Groove merchant takes the sax section to the max.

Super arrangement, super song,

[shophar]

this Band is swingalisish! they have it all dynamics fantastic tone production across the band THEY ALSO HAVE ENERGY AT ALL DYNAMIC LEVELS, TIME, AND FOCUS . they just SWANG!! not swing, SWANG!!!!

[Surmusicp]

this band is AWESOME..i listen very often my rocrding of Thad Tones & Mel Lewis..just to keep the groove in my head..

Roland Hanna grooves like a champ..superb.. Listening to this piece is an extraordinary exercise of swing...just keep on focused on 2 and 4....and see how everything fix so well--

and of course....its a masterwork on dynamics...

[Neisan350Z]

This is awsome way better then the version I played and the one I palyed was pretty good. I love the solos!

[Reinocerous25]

this bassist is hilarious

[jibsmokestack1]

The bassist is the incomparable Richard Davis!!! Ironman!!!

[bobjazz11]

@Reinocerous25

Actually he's Richard Davis

[jakegreenburger]

@bobjazz11 haha Richard Davis is hilarious! hahaha, i was in his combo at his camp two years ago, he made sure to tell all of us to "stay off da reefuh" so much fun! the following year i was in Rufus Rieds groups, eye opening stuff!

[clolom95]

@Reinocerous25 hes just groovin

[LetzBeaFranque]

@Reinocerous25 He is funny! It looks like working for Thad Jones would be a joy.

[globalistbrat]

This is a very swinging tune, love it!

[globalistbrat]

This reminds me an awful lot of the soli in Basie's Tall Cotton! Which came first? Nestico's arrangement was great too.

[gambatula]

:D !!!!

[vindog55]

god kathy i just love this song

why couldn't we just have an alumni jazz band and play this song

[gambatula]

no joke!!

an alumni band, wow, what a good idea

[jazzisgr8]

That would be amazing! Eddie Bert is my father and he is still working and his chops are in great shape.  I am sure he would be thrilled. He loved being in this band!

[lebbii87]

yup, this song was meant for the saxes to kick ass. and that is wut they do. thanks for postin

[pricelesspistola321]

Oh MAN! The saxes are killin' it!

Love this song. thanks a million for putting it up!

[ShablulZoem]

5:09 best soli part

[FockerTheLopper]

a bit sloppy... i actually prefer the rest of the soli in its entirety

[FockerTheLopper]

... wow

[alterschwedenochmal]

THIS is coolness^^

[jacotrumpet]

jaco is lovin that long-behind piano solo... (even tho it is pretty long) it's groovy

[BVoelzProductions]

How did you get this original tape?!?

[bobjazz11]

I got it a very (very) long time ago off another collector

Bob

[magichristo]

@bobjazz11 Just one thing, how were these things recorded, in a way that you could put them on youtube as video?

[lipsman92]

These guys are so chill. I love it!

[saxmac]

Saxes L-R: Joe Henderson, Jerry Dodgion, Jerome Richardson, Eddie Daniels, Pepper Adams. No greater sax section!

[klactoveesedstene]

One of the best sax solis ever.  In the running with Four Brothers, Sax No End, et al...

[runeskyler]

Eddie Daniels is a beast, so is Joe Henderson

[dontdodat00O]

@saxmac no fucking way thats eddie! I had no clue whatsoever. that is so cool.

[regular25]

@dontdodat00O it is Eddie!

[laurentba004]

@saxmac

Don't forget Clarke Boland BB sax section man!

[pricelesspistola321]

the bass player is a bad ass

[steadigonzalez]

como camina, por dios !

[CHC4669]

man that shit is smokin. Those are some bad ass cats man and playing their asssiss off. LoL

[linlasj]

...and that is Snooky Young on the first trumpet. He can not be missed. That straight tone in the upper register is there few people that can acheive.

[linlasj]

This sax chorus is also outstanding. It is great.

[linlasj]

The opportunity to have been able to actually see this band playing live every time they were in Stockholm was great. They are simply the best. They are. And the arrangements and compositions is outstanding. I am so glad that youtube is here to bring them on again.

[lanesblitz]

special!

[jazzmaster1993]

I LOVE THIS  =]

[nachomamasax]

Listening to this group as a teenager was truly a spiritual experience for me. I was in a trance one time after practicing my alto when I heard the sax soli (4:02)Thank God for Thad Jones - Mel Lewis et al. Truly All-Star all Hall of Famer Band! Tony B.

[jlevinson6]

Roland Hanna---WoW! He's amazing! Jaki Byard + Hank Jones

[lickingravy999]

this is the shit. thanks for posting!

[idahobar]

Or it could be: Thad Jones, Mel Lewis (ldr), Jerry Dodgion (f, as), Jerome Richardson (as), Eddie Daniels, Joe Henderson (ts), Pepper Adams (bar), Danny Moore, Al Porcino, Richard Williams, Snooky Young (t), Thad Jones (fh), Eddie Bert, Astley Fennell, Jimmy Knepper (tb), Cliff Heather (btb), Roland Hanna (p), Richard Davis (b), Mel Lewis (d)

[customkey]

@idahobar This is most likely the correct personell. I see my good friend Eddie Bert sitting in the lead trombone chair, right in front of Snooky. Thanks for your insight!

[idahobar]

Recorded from a European tour in late 1969: Thad Jones, Mel Lewis (ldr), Jerry Dodgion (f, as), Jerome Richardson (as), Eddie Daniels, Joe Henderson (ts), Pepper Adams (bar), Danny Moore, Al Porcino, Marvin Stamm, Snooky Young (t), Thad Jones (fh), Jimmy Knepper, Benny Powell, Julian Priester (tb), Bob Burgess (btb), Roland Hanna (p), Richard Davis (b), Mel Lewis (d)

[aristix6]

2:03-2:13 and 2:29-2:35...amazing.

[redhouse7]

is that pepper adams on bari it looks like it but i dont know if he played with thad jones???

[ect893]

Yeah man! Pepper was actually in the Jones-Lewis Orchestra for nearly a dozen years, from 1965-76.

[watski]

amazing, I've never seen Pepper Adams before on film, beautiful playing all round

[halfblack72]

7:44 ....uuuuhhhhhhhhhhh

[kirby300]

Hes just REALLY into the music, that perfectly fine! Thats pretty cool lol.

[halfblack72]

yea i meant that as a soulful grunt my bad