He was born in Pontiac, Michigan to a musical family of ten (an older brother was pianist Hank Jones and a younger brother was drummer Elvin Jones). Thad Jones was a self taught musician, performing professionally by the age of sixteen. He served in U.S. Army bands during World War II (1943-46).
After the war, Thad Jones continued his professional music career, eventually winding up with Count Basie in 1954, for whom he arranged, composed, and performed. He stayed with Basie for nine years. Thad achieved critical acclaim during this time, but not for his work with Basie. Much of Jones' music was stylistically original and didn't always fit in with the Basie group which he left in 1963. In the early sixties he became a free lance arranger and performer in the New York area.
In 1965 he and drummer Mel Lewis formed the Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Big Band. The group initially began with informal late night jam sessions amongst New York's top studio musicians. The group eventually began performing at the Village Vanguard, to wide acclaim, and continued with Jones in the lead for twelve years. In 1979 they won a Grammy Award for their album Live in Munich. Jones also taught at William Paterson College in New Jersey.
In 1978 Thad suddenly moved to Copenhagen, Denmark, (to the great surprise of his New York band mates), where several other American jazz musicians had gone to live. There, he formed a new band Eclipse, composed for The Danish Radio Big Band and taught jazz at the Royal Danish Conservatory in Copenhagen.
A year before his death, Jones came back to the U.S. to lead the Count Basie Orchestra but had to step down due to ill health. He returned to his home in Copenhagen for the last few months of his life. He died on August 21, 1986 after being hospitalized for months but his cause of death was not published. At the time of his death he had a six year old child also named Thad Jones that he had with his wife Lis Jones. He is buried there in the Vestre Kirkegard Cemetery (Western Churchyard Cemetery).[1]
Charles Mingus called Jones "...the greatest trumpet player I've heard in this life." In later years his playing ability was overshadowed by his composing and arranging skills. His best known composition is the standard A Child is Born.
Willow Tree
Thad Jones Lyrics
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Surround you with my long limbs
My dear, let me grow in the shade
In the sands by the bank of your river
Let I drink from your streams
The cool breeze fill my leaves
We will sing together
And I'll be by your side forever
I wish I was a weeping willow tree
I wish I was a weeping willow tree
I wish I was a weeping willow tree
Sweet river caress how softly
Stir my searching roots
Shading the sun in the summers heat
Let I cool you
We have been dancing so long
In the winters freeze and the summers drought
We survive
We belong
Let us sing together
Water over the pebbles
And I'll be by your side forever
I wish I was your weeping willow tree
I wish I was a weeping willow tree
I wish I was a weeping willow tree
Let us sing together
Water over the pebbles
And I'll be by your side forever
Let us sing together
Water over the pebbles
And I'll be by your side forever
We can sing together
Water over the pebbles
And I'll be by your side forever
Let me be
Your willow tree
Your willow tree
The song "Willow Tree" by Thad Jones is a love song that uses a willow tree as a metaphor for the love and devotion one person has for another. The singer is asking to be the willow tree that provides shade and comfort to their lover, while also drinking from their streams and being nourished by their love. The willow tree is seen as a symbol of strength and resilience, as it can survive through harsh winters and hot summers. The singer desires to be by their lover's side forever, to be their constant companion and source of support.
The repetition of the phrase "I wish I was a weeping willow tree" emphasizes the singer's longing to be a part of their lover's life, to provide them with everything they need, and to be a source of comfort and shelter. The image of the cool breeze filling the willow tree's leaves creates a sense of peace and tranquility, highlighting the calming influence that the singer wishes to be for their lover. The use of the phrase "water over the pebbles" suggests the idea of a gentle flowing stream, and the imagery of "sweet river caress" reinforces the theme of nourishment and growth.
Overall, "Willow Tree" is a beautiful and poetic expression of love and devotion, using the natural world as a metaphor for the deep connections we can form with those we love.
Line by Line Meaning
Let me be your weeping willow tree
Allow me to be there for you as a source of comfort and support.
Surround you with my long limbs
Envelop you in a warm embrace using my long branches.
My dear, let me grow in the shade
Beloved, let me grow alongside you whilst protecting and providing relief from any harshness of the world.
In the sands by the bank of your river
Let me live in the area most meaningful to you, symbolizing my commitment and loyalty to you.
Let I drink from your streams
I wish to nourish myself with all that comes from you, giving me strength and a sense of belonging.
The cool breeze fill my leaves
May your presence always refresh and revive me like a rejuvenating breeze.
We will sing together
We shall unite our voices for harmony, indicating our shared values and desires.
Water over the pebbles
The gentle movement of water signifies a peaceful life filled with small but significant moments of contentment.
And I'll be by your side forever
I pledge to always be with you, no matter what the future holds.
I wish I was a weeping willow tree
I desire nothing more than to be your comforter, providing you the support and companionship you require.
Sweet river caress how softly
I marvel at the tender way the river flows, reminding me of how gentle and caring you are.
Stir my searching roots
Your presence in my life makes me feel secure and grounded, encouraging me to grow and explore deeper parts of myself.
Shading the sun in the summers heat
Like a willow tree, you protect me from the harshness of life, allowing me to thrive in less favorable circumstances.
Let I cool you
I yearn to provide you respite and relief when you're facing intense situations, creating a sense of tranquility and calm within you.
We have been dancing so long
We have been intertwined in each other's lives for such a long time, that we know each other inside out.
In the winters freeze and the summers drought
We've been through thick and thin, supporting each other through all kinds of weather.
We survive
Together, we can get through anything and everything that life throws at us.
We belong
We're meant to be together. We fit together like pieces of a puzzle, making each other feel whole.
Let me be
Allow me to do what I was meant to do - love, support, and care for you.
Your willow tree
Be the one who finds peace and relaxation under the haven of my branches.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc., BMG Rights Management
Written by: THOMAS 'FATS' WALLER, ANDY RAZAF
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind