SKF NOTE: Listening this morning for the first time to the track, Big Dipper, from the newly released Thad Jones/Mel Lewis CD, All My Yesterdays: The Debut 1966 Village Vanguard Recordings, I am reminded of how great is this big band, and how great are the individual players. And I find myself missing Mel Lewis all over again.

Thank you to Doug Ramsey’s blog, Rifftides, for bringing this new CD to my attention. And also, for pointing out Mark Stryker’s essay on Thad Jones and the band.

No point in saying anything more. Just listen. What a great way to start the day.

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