Thad Jones & Mel Lewis: Tiptoe

Thad Jones was arguably the most consistently interesting big band arranger of the 1960s and 1970s, and Tiptoe is one of his masterpieces. The childlike staccato saxophone melody bounces playfully on top of tasteful swing, humorously complimented by Roland Hannas piano interjections. After a surprising trombone and bass unison, the horns return for some frantic conversation with Lewiss drums. The drummers classy, laid-back brushwork calms the band and leads the way into a toe-tapping chorus by altoist Jerry Dodgion. The band enters with characteristic backgroundscrisp, complicated, yet perfectly subtlebefore strolling through a tight shout chorus led by lead trumpeter Marvin Stamm. This is the Jones/Lewis Orchestra at its peak.