(Lis). Jones transformed the Danish Radio Big Band into one of the world's best. The result can be heard on a live-recording from the Montmartre in Copenhagen. In July 1979, Jones formed a new big band, Eclipse, with which he recorded a live album, Eclipse. Several Americans were on the album: pianist Horace Parlan, baritonist Sahib Shihab, trumpeter Tim Hagans, and trombonist/vocalist Richard B. Boone. The rest of the band comprised trombonists Bjarne Thanning and Ture Larsen, trumpeter Lars Togeby, altoists Ole Thøger and Michael Hove, tenor saxophonist Bent Jædig, and bassist Jesper Lundgaard. Jones further composed for the Danish Radio Big Band and taught jazz at the Royal Danish Conservatory in Copenhagen. He studied composition formally during this period, and also took up the valve trombone. In February 1985, Jones returned to the U.S. to take over the leadership of the Count Basie Orchestra, upon his former leader's death. Jones fronted the Basie band on numerous tours, also writing arrangements for recordings and performances with vocalist Caterina Valente and the Manhattan Transfer, but had to step down due to ill health. He returned to his home in Copenhagen for the last few months of his life, and died of cancer on August 20, 1986, at Herlev Hospital. In later years his playing ability was diminished due to a lip injury, but his composing and arranging skills blossomed. His best-known composition is the standard "A Child Is Born". At the time of his death, Jones had a six-year-old son, also named Thad (Thaddeus Joseph William Jones), with his wife Lis Jones. He had a daughter Thedia and a son Bruce in the U.S. He was buried in Copenhagen's Vestre Kirkegård Cemetery (Western Churchyard Cemetery). Thad Jones has a street named after him in southern Copenhagen, "Thad Jones Vej" (Thad Jones Street). Discography As leader or co-leader The Fabulous Thad Jones (Debut, 1954) Detroit – New York Junction (Blue Note, 1956) The Magnificent Thad Jones (Blue Note, 1956) The Magnificent Thad Jones Vol.3 (Blue Note, 1956) Mad Thad (Period, 1957) Sonny Rollins Plays (Period, 1957) split album with Sonny Rollins The Jones Boys (Period, 1957) with Jimmy Jones, Eddie Jones, Quincy Jones and Jo Jones Olio (Prestige, 1957) with Frank Wess, Teddy Charles, Mal Waldron, Doug Watkins, Elvin Jones After Hours (Prestige, 1957) with – Frank Wess, Kenny Burrell, Mal Waldron, Paul Chambers, Art Taylor Keepin' Up with the Joneses (MetroJazz,