Going strong after 80 years, the Count Basie Orchestra, under the leadership of trumpeter Scotty Barnhart, mixes the past and present on this swinging session.
The band revisits a number of the classic hits, but with some fun and forward thinking guests. The earthy “Everyday I Have The Blues” has the vocal group Take 6 handling the vocals with zest, while the KC special blues “Sent For You Yesterday” includes the big baritone of Jamie Davis, with Kurt Elling going eloquent on “Don’t Worry About Me.” The Count comes back to revisit his “One more time!” on this take of “April In Paris,” as Joey DeFrancesco handles the B3 with oomph, while Jon Faddis has fun with a sizzling “Tequila” and Stevie Wonder revisits his own romantic “My Cherie Amor” with some nice harmonica work. Fresh, and still swinging at a steady four to the bar!