4 CDs, packaged in a double wide digipak. Digitally remastered and enhanced for superior quality. Includes the albums "Collaboration West (with Shorty Rogers, Shelly Manne & Jimmy Giuffre)", "Evolution (with Shorty Rogers, Shelly Manne, Jimmy Giuffre & Charles Mingus)", "The Teddy Charles Tentet", "Word From Bird", "Vibe-Rant", "Coolin' (with Idrees Sulieman, John Jenkins & Mal Waldron)" and "Salute To Hamp, Flyin' Home".
In 1956, trumpeter Thad Jones was making his way forward as a leader and apart from his important role with the Count Basie Orchestra, having recorded for the Charles Mingus owned "Debut" and Period labels. But this release for Blue Note most firmly established him as one of the premier musicians and composers in modern jazz; it's titled "Magnificent" for many great reasons. There are several precedents set here; the initial foray out of Detroit for the young pianist and fellow Michiganian Barry Harris, the identifying of a personalized small group, as well as individual sound of Jones, and his ability to easily bring great jazz icons together as a team. With Detroit's Billy Mitchell on tenor sax, Percy Heath's bass, and stellar drummer Max Roach, this quintet makes truly great jazz music together…