Count Basie’s Orchestra continues to swing like mistletoe at the 80 year mark with this latest disc which celebrates the Coolest of Them All! Trumpeter Scotty Barnhart has been directing the band for awhile, and he hits it right here as he brings in some clever arrangements as well as guest appearances that feel like stocking stuffers.
John Mathis is in great form on “It’s The Holiday Season,” and Carmen Bradford is as smooth as egg nog on “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas while Ledisi glows on her read of “The Christmas Song.” Gordon Goodwin’s chart n “Sleight Ride” deserves a “Ho Ho Ho” and a solo by Barnhart is a charmer. Ellis Marsalis is featured on “Let it Snow” and h e is joined by tenor saxist supreme Plas Johnson on “I’ll Be Home For Christmas.” Christmas in KC never sounded better.
Concord Records