Trumpeter Jones and drummer Lewis formed the Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra in in New York in 1965. The Jones-Lewis partnership collaboration ended in 1978 when Jones suddenly moved to Copenhagen, Denmark, after which the band became the Mel Lewis Jazz Orchestra. Since the death of Lewis in 1990 it has been known as the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra. They have maintained a Monday-night residency at the Village Vanguard jazz club in New York for five decades. met Thad Jones and started the Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra at the end of 1965.