Thad Jones

American trumpeter, cornetist, french horn player, composer, and arranger.

Born March 28, 1923, in Pontiac, Michigan, USA; died of cancer on August, 21, 1986, in Copenhagen, Denmark.

His elder brother was pianist [a265629], and his younger brother was drummer [a=Elvin Jones].

He performed in Arcadia Club Band at age sixteen; 1941 performed in Connie Connell's band; served in U.S. Army 1943-1946; worked with the band of Charles Young (circa 1946-1948); led his own quintet in Detroit; worked in the bands of [a683569] and Jimmy Taylor; performed at Blue Bird Inn, Detroit 1952-1954; joined Count Basie in 1954 and performed with [a453852]; left the Basie Orchestra and in 1963 worked briefly as a CBS staff arranger; co-led [a999862] (1965-1978); led the [a388737] and taught at the Royal Conservatory; 1980 taught Jazz Seminar in Barcelona, Spain; rejoined the (now posthumous 'ghost') Basie Orchestra in 1985.