A Child Is Born: l’intimité selon Thad Jones
Composé en 1969 par Thad Jones, A Child Is Born s’impose comme l’un des ballades les plus tendres et les plus intimes du répertoire jazz. Initialement conçue comme pièce instrumentale, la mélodie douce et nuancée inspire rapidement des paroles ajoutées par Alec Wilder, renforçant la dimension poétique et méditative de l’œuvre.
On pense toutefois que la composition de A Child Is Born revient en grande partie à Roland Hanna, pianiste du Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra. Lors des premiers concerts au Village Vanguard, Hanna développait régulièrement ce thème en solo, affinant ses contours au fil des semaines. Un soir, Thad Jones présenta soudainement un arrangement complet du morceau pour l’ensemble de l’orchestre, s’inspirant directement des improvisations de Hanna. Ce dernier aurait confié à ses proches qu’il était à l’origine de la pièce, allant jusqu’à dire: «Je l’ai offerte à Thad ».
Loin du tumulte du jazz orchestral dont Thad Jones est l’un des grands artisans, A Child Is Born adopte une forme épurée, presque dépouillée. La ligne mélodique descend doucement, comme une berceuse, sur une grille harmonique simple mais subtilement modulante. Chaque note semble posée avec soin, dans un espace sonore qui privilégie le souffle, le silence, l’écoute. Il ne s’agit pas ici de virtuosité, mais d’intention, de retenue, de profondeur.
L’œuvre-sommet de la Mel Lewis Jazz Orchestra
Enregistrée à New York le 25 mai 1970 pour l’album Consummation, la version de A Child Is Born par Thad Jones (au bugle) et la Mel Lewis Jazz Orchestra reste l’une des interprétations les plus emblématiques de ce chef-d’œuvre. Ce morceau, devenu la composition la plus célèbre de Jones, incarne à lui seul la profondeur émotionnelle et l’élégance harmonique de son écriture.
L’ensemble réunit, outre Thad Jones au bugle, Mel Lewis à la batterie, Marvin Stamm à la trompette, Jimmy Knepper au trombone, Billy Harper au saxophone ténor, Jerome Richardson, Jerry Dodgion et Eddie Daniels aux anches, Roland Hanna au piano et Richard Davis à la contrebasse. Chaque soliste apporte sa voix singulière, portée par les orchestrations riches, subtiles et audacieuses de Jones, qui maîtrise l’art du contraste comme celui du détail.
Parmi la riche discographie de l’orchestre Thad Jones/Mel Lewis, Consummation se distingue comme l’album le plus abouti. Il reflète la maturité artistique de la formation, portée par des musiciens de haut vol et des arrangements d’une inventivité rare.
A Child Is Born: la intimidad según Thad Jones
Compuesta en 1969 por Thad Jones, A Child Is Born se ha consolidado como una de las baladas más tiernas e íntimas del repertorio jazzístico. Concebida originalmente como una pieza instrumental, su melodía suave y matizada inspiró rápidamente una letra escrita por Alec Wilder, que reforzó la dimensión poética y contemplativa de la obra.
Sin embargo, se cree que la composición de A Child Is Born se debe en gran parte a Roland Hanna, pianista del Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra. Durante los primeros conciertos en el Village Vanguard, Hanna desarrollaba regularmente este tema en sus solos, afinando sus contornos semana tras semana. Una noche, Thad Jones presentó repentinamente un arreglo completo del tema para toda la orquesta, basado directamente en esas improvisaciones. Según se cuenta, Hanna confesó a sus allegados que él era el verdadero autor de la pieza, llegando a decir: «Se la regalé a Thad».
Alejada del bullicio del jazz orquestal que Thad Jones ayudó a definir, A Child Is Born adopta una forma depurada, casi desnuda. Su línea melódica desciende con suavidad, como una nana, sobre una armonía sencilla pero sutilmente modulante. Cada nota parece colocada con esmero, en un espacio que privilegia el aliento, el silencio, la escucha. No se trata aquí de virtuosismo, sino de intención, contención y profundidad.
La obra cumbre de la Mel Lewis Jazz Orchestra
Grabada en Nueva York el 25 de mayo de 1970 para el álbum Consummation, la versión de A Child Is Born por Thad Jones (al fliscorno) y la Mel Lewis Jazz Orchestra permanece como una de las interpretaciones más emblemáticas de esta obra maestra. Esta pieza, convertida en la composición más célebre de Jones, encarna por sí sola la profundidad emocional y la elegancia armónica de su escritura.
El conjunto reúne, además de Thad Jones al fliscorno, a Mel Lewis en la batería, Marvin Stamm en la trompeta, Jimmy Knepper en el trombón, Billy Harper en el saxofón tenor, Jerome Richardson, Jerry Dodgion y Eddie Daniels en las maderas, Roland Hanna al piano y Richard Davis al contrabajo. Cada solista aporta su voz singular, sostenida por las orquestaciones ricas, sutiles y audaces de Jones, maestro tanto del contraste como del detalle.
Entre la abundante discografía de la Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra, Consummation se distingue como el álbum más logrado. Refleja la madurez artística de la formación, impulsada por músicos de primer nivel y por unos arreglos de una inventiva poco común.
A Child Is Born: l’intimità secondo Thad Jones
Composto nel 1969 da Thad Jones, A Child Is Born si è affermato come una delle ballate più tenere e intime del repertorio jazz. Pensato inizialmente come brano strumentale, la sua melodia dolce e sfumata ha ispirato quasi subito un testo firmato da Alec Wilder, che ne ha rafforzato la dimensione poetica e meditativa.
Si ritiene tuttavia che la composizione di A Child Is Born sia in gran parte attribuibile a Roland Hanna, pianista della Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra. Durante i primi concerti al Village Vanguard, Hanna sviluppava regolarmente questo tema nei suoi assoli, perfezionandone le linee nel corso delle settimane. Una sera, Thad Jones presentò improvvisamente un arrangiamento completo del brano per tutta l’orchestra, ispirandosi direttamente a quelle improvvisazioni. Secondo quanto raccontato, Hanna avrebbe confidato ai suoi amici di essere il vero autore del brano, affermando: «L’ho regalato a Thad».
Lontano dal fervore del jazz orchestrale che Thad Jones contribuì a plasmare, A Child Is Born adotta una forma sobria, quasi essenziale. La linea melodica scende con delicatezza, come una ninna nanna, su una progressione armonica semplice ma finemente modulata. Ogni nota appare posata con cura, in uno spazio che privilegia il respiro, il silenzio, l’ascolto. Non si tratta di virtuosismo, ma di intenzione, contenimento e profondità.
Il capolavoro della Mel Lewis Jazz Orchestra
Registrata a New York il 25 maggio 1970 per l’album Consummation, la versione di A Child Is Born interpretata da Thad Jones (al flicorno) e dalla Mel Lewis Jazz Orchestra rimane una delle esecuzioni più emblematiche di questo capolavoro. Questo brano, divenuto la composizione più celebre di Jones, incarna da solo la profondità emotiva e l’eleganza armonica della sua scrittura.
L’ensemble riunisce, oltre a Thad Jones al flicorno, Mel Lewis alla batteria, Marvin Stamm alla tromba, Jimmy Knepper al trombone, Billy Harper al sax tenore, Jerome Richardson, Jerry Dodgion ed Eddie Daniels ai fiati, Roland Hanna al pianoforte e Richard Davis al contrabbasso. Ogni solista porta la propria voce singolare, sostenuta dalle orchestrazioni ricche, sottili e audaci di Jones, maestro tanto del contrasto quanto della cura del dettaglio.
Tra la vasta discografia della Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra, Consummation si distingue come l’album più compiuto. Riflette la maturità artistica della formazione, sostenuta da musicisti di altissimo livello e da arrangiamenti di rara inventiva.
A Child Is Born: intimacy according to Thad Jones
Composed in 1969 by Thad Jones, A Child Is Born quickly became one of the most tender and intimate ballads in the jazz repertoire. Originally written as an instrumental piece, its soft, nuanced melody soon inspired lyrics by Alec Wilder, enhancing the poetic and meditative nature of the work.
However, it is widely believed that the composition of A Child Is Born is largely attributable to Roland Hanna, pianist with the Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra. During the group’s early performances at the Village Vanguard, Hanna would often develop the theme in his solo improvisations, shaping it gradually over several weeks. One evening, Thad Jones unexpectedly introduced a full orchestral arrangement of the piece, clearly derived from Hanna’s ideas. Hanna is said to have privately told close friends that he was the true composer of the tune, even stating: “I gave it to Thad.”
Far from the bustle of big band jazz, a genre Thad Jones helped define, A Child Is Born embraces a stripped-down, almost minimalist form. Its descending melody unfolds gently, like a lullaby, over a simple yet subtly modulating harmonic progression. Each note seems carefully placed, in a soundscape that prioritizes breath, silence, and deep listening. This is not a vehicle for virtuosity, but for intention, restraint, and emotional depth.
The pinnacle work of the Mel Lewis Jazz Orchestra
Recorded in New York on May 25, 1970 for the album Consummation, the version of A Child Is Born by Thad Jones (on flugelhorn) and the Mel Lewis Jazz Orchestra remains one of the most emblematic interpretations of this masterpiece. This piece, which became Jones’s most famous composition, embodies the emotional depth and harmonic elegance of his writing.
The ensemble features, in addition to Thad Jones on flugelhorn, Mel Lewis on drums, Marvin Stamm on trumpet, Jimmy Knepper on trombone, Billy Harper on tenor saxophone, Jerome Richardson, Jerry Dodgion, and Eddie Daniels on reeds, Roland Hanna on piano, and Richard Davis on bass. Each soloist contributes a unique voice, supported by Jones’s rich, subtle, and daring orchestrations, demonstrating his mastery of both contrast and detail.
Among the extensive discography of the Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra, Consummation stands out as the most accomplished album. It reflects the artistic maturity of the ensemble, driven by top-tier musicians and arrangements of uncommon inventiveness.
