The third brother in the illustrious Jones family, along with pianist Hank and
drummer Elvin, his childhood fascination with Louis Armstrong led him to take up
the trumpet. At the end of the '30s, still a teenager, Thad Jones followed his
elder brother Hank, who gave him his first stage opportunities, in an orchestra
also led by another family member. Before doing his National Service in the
mid-40s, Thad Jones had already accumulated a number of stage experiences and
met Sonny Stitt. As if his path had been paved, he joined the army and, at the
same time, made the acquaintance o...