Thad Jones-Mel Lewis Orchestra

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Central Park North.
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Release Date Jun 17, 1969-Jun 18, 1969
Recording Date Jun 17, 1969,Jun 18, 1969
Label Solid State
Genre Styles Jazz Hard Bop Progressive Big Band

1 Tow Away Zone Jones 4:30
2 Quietude Jones 4:06
3 Jive Samba Adderley 8:54
4 The Groove Merchant Jones, Richardson 5:12
5 Big Dipper Jones 5:54
6 Central Park North Jones 9:15

Central Park North . Thad Jones-Mel Lewis Orchestra . Release Date Jun 17, 1969-Jun 18, 1969 Recording Date Jun 17, 1969,Jun 18, 1969 Label Solid State Genre Styles Jazz Hard Bop Progressive Big Band

Eddie Bert Trombone
Sam Leigh Brown Guitar
Eddie Daniels Clarinet, Sax (Tenor)
Richard Anthony Davis Bass, Bass (Electric)
Richard Davis Guitar (Bass)
Joe Farrell Clarinet, Sax (Soprano), Sax (Tenor)
Barry Galbraith Guitar
Sir Roland Hanna Piano
Cliff Heather Trombone (Bass)
Sam Herman Guitar
Thad Jones Arranger, Flugelhorn
Jimmy Knepper Trombone
Mel Lewis Drums
Daniel Moore Trumpet
Jimmy Nottingham Trumpet
Benny Powell Trombone
Jerome Richardson Clarinet, Piccolo, Sax (Alto), Sax (Soprano)
Joe Temperley Clarinet (Bass), Sax (Baritone)
Richard Gene Williams Trumpet
Richard Williams Trumpet
Snooky Young Trumpet

Malcolm Addey Remixing
Edwin Beach Liner Notes
Michael Cuscuna Reissue Producer
Frank Gauna Art Direction
Don Hahn Engineer
Ron McMaster Mastering
Patrick Roques Reissue Design

Review by Ronnie D. Lankford Jr.

One doesn't automatically think of big bands when remembering late-'60s jazz, though big bands like the Thad Jones-Mel Lewis Orchestra continued to make stimulating recordings. Central Park North, recorded and released in 1969, testifies that one could be a big band and progressive at the same time. Flügelhornist Jones and percussionist Lewis are joined by a large cast of players, including tenor Joe Farrell, trumpeter Jimmy Knepper, and pianist Roland Hanna. The music runs the gauntlet from funky soul-jazz to more gentle traditional work, sometimes within the same piece. Jones' "Tow Away Zone" begins like a rather typical late-'60s composition (horns and organ with a soulful groove), but as the individual players cut loose with excellent solo work — built within a multi-layered arrangement — the piece takes on a character of its own. "Quietude" moves in the opposite direction, living up to its title by keeping things low-key, while "Jazz Samba" is a nine-minute romp with some great piccolo work. The swinging "Big Dipper" and ambitious title cut bring Central Park North to a satisfying close. The album, at 37 minutes, will seem a bit short by post-millennium standards, but the Thad Jones-Mel Lewis Orchestra makes every minute count. The 2004 reissue will be a welcomed by fans of adventurous big band music.