Count Basie was among the most important bandleaders of the swing era.
With the exception of a brief period in the early ‘50s, he led a big band from 1935 until his death almost 50 years later, and the band continued to perform after he died. Basie’s orchestra was characterized by a light, swinging rhythm section that he led from the piano, lively ensemble work, and generous soloing. Basie was not a composer like Duke Ellington or an important soloist like Benny Goodman; his instrument was his band, which was considered the epitome of swing and became broadly influential on jazz.
This new 5CD set brings together 81 superb recordings from five of Basie’s most influential records, including 1958’s The Atomic Mr Basie and Sinatra-Basie: An Historical Musical First from 1962.