Jazztodon artist of the week: Count Basie!

[allenmichie@jazztodon.com]

Jazztodon artist of the week: Count Basie!

From the National Jazz Archive:
Bill ‘Count’ Basie led bands that perfected Kansas City jazz and marked the transition from the structured big band style to the musical improvisation style of bebop.

Basie’s most significant period of activity started in the 1950s with a band that remained successful for three decades. The foundations for this success were being laid in the 1930s when he put together a band based around the riff style of the 1930s swing-era big bands, but with the drive and swing of a small group.

He is remembered by many who worked for him as being considerate of musicians and their opinions, modest, relaxed, fun-loving, dryly witty, and always enthusiastic about his music. In his autobiography, he wrote, “I think the band can really swing when it swings easy, when it can just play along like you are cutting butter.”

What are your favorite Basie records or concerts?

#jazz #countbasie