The second recording by the
Thad Jones/
Mel Lewis Jazz Orchestra is the equal of the first. Most memorable here are "Little Pixie,"
Fats Waller's "Willow Tree," and particularly, the spirited "Don't Git Sassy." With arrangements by
Thad Jones,
Bob Brookmeyer and
Garnett Brown, and an all-star cast that includes trumpeters
Snooky Young,
Marvin Stamm and
Richard Gene Williams, valve trombonist
Bob Brookmeyer, the reeds of
Jerome Richardson,
Jerry Dodgion,
Joe Farrell,
Eddie Daniels and
Pepper Adams (all of whom solo), pianist
Roland Hanna and bassist
Richard Davis, among others, this was one of the great big bands. Fortunately, the exciting music on this out of print LP has been reissued on CD as part of a very complete Mosaic box set.