THAD JONES TO HEAD BASIE BAND

Thad Jones, trumpeter and composer who rose to fame in the Count Basie Orchestra before gaining more renown as a maestro in his own right, is taking over direction of the Basie band effective Sunday, it was announced Tuesday.

Jones played and wrote arrangements for Basie from 1954 to 1963. In 1965 he organized an orchestra with drummer Mel Lewis as co-leader. This ensemble enjoyed international success and the partnership with Lewis lasted 13 years, after which Jones took up residence in Copenhagen, leaving Lewis as sole leader.

Recently returned to New York, Jones will assume the leadership of the Basie Orchestra that had been held by saxophonist Eric Dixon since Basie’s death last April. He will appear with the orchestra March 23 at El Camino College and March 26 and 27 at the Ambassador Auditorium, Pasadena. On the Pasadena dates another Basie alumnus, singer Joe Williams, will be teamed with the band.