Charles Mingus championed Thad Jones from the time he first heard the trumpeter in Detroit and claimed that Jones was greater than Dizzy Gillespie, Fats Navarro, or Clifford Brown. Mingus recorded Jones for his Debut label in two mid-1950s sessions that resulted in The Fabulous Thad Jones. The album established Jones as a serious creative force and not merely the guy who played the whimsical solo on Count Basie's recording of "April in Paris." The pianist on the first session was older brother Hank Jones, on the second the enigmatic John Dennis. The compact disc includes two alternate takes. Jones's big success as a composer, arranger, and leader were some years away, but his record announced him as a looming presence in jazz.

with Charles Mingus, John Dennis, Max Roach, Hank Jones, Kenny Clarke, Frank Wess