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Tag: Count Basie Orchestra
The Concord Jazz Festival, which recently celebrated its 50th anniversary August 3 in Concord, California, is proof that, in the jazz world, ardent passions can lead to enduring legacies.
Today marks 35 years since the passing of William James “Count” Basie. The supremely influential…
Need some Monday motivation? We’ve got you covered! From the new foot-stomping track by a…
The Count Basie Orchestra will release its new album, All About That Basie, on September…
All About That Basie is all about celebrating the Count Basie Orchestra — from its earliest years to its heyday with Frank Sinatra and Ella Fitzgerald, on through its current iteration as the preeminent swing band for today's best contemporary jazz musicians. Among the guest artists joining the band are Take 6, vocalist Kurt Elling, organist Joey DeFrancesco, trombonist Wycliffe Gordon, trumpeter Jon Faddis and Basie band alumni vocalists Carmen Bradford, Jamie Davis and Stevie Wonder. The album was produced by GRAMMY Award-winning producer and former drummer Gregg Field. "Basie's band throughout the years was able to successfully cover hits of the era with their sound, and as part of the new album we have continued that tradition including hits from legends like Stevie Wonder and Leonard Cohen as well as artists as contemporary as Adele," says Field. In fact, All About Basie introduces new songs to the Count Basie Orchestra repertoire: Adele's hit "Hello," featuring a trumpet solo by arranger Kris Johnson and a highly stylized piano solo from the band's own Bobby Floyd; Leonard Cohen's signature song "Hallelujah," arranged by Johnson and featuring a soulful solo by trombonist Mark William; and Earth, Wind & Fire's hit "Can't Hide Love," with Gordon on trombone and guest pianist Eric Reed. Orchestra Director Scotty Barnhart explains that when he incorporates new material into the Basie repertoire, he looks for tunes with "singable melodies and interesting harmonies."
"Rhythmically," he says, "the orchestra is going to take care of the rest."For more information, go to 