the Basie-ites - How High the Moon (2018)

The hallmark of The Basie Band, one of the greatest of all big jazz bands since the latter Thirties, was a propulsive rhythm section and soloists of stature and individuality.

How High the Moon, a mid-western session recorded in 1959 for the Jubilee label, when all The Basie-ites were still sitting in with the Big Band, piles on further proof that the rating is deserved.

Here is the famed rhythm section with Barry Harris, a fine pianist, in for the Count. Freddie Green on guitar, Eddie Jones on bass and Sonny Payne, drums, fill another chapter in the torrid tale that spells out the magic of their swinging beat.

The rest of Basie-ites, the saxophones of Billy Mitchell and Frank Foster, Frank Wess flute, Joe Newman and Thad Jones on trumpet and Al Grey, trombone, find full freedom to blow. Each is spotlighted.

On the other tracks of this collection, a smaller group of Basie-ites, but with Jimmy Jones on piano and Jo Jones on drums, accompanied Beverly Kenney on a 1956 recording for the Roost label. Beverly was a jazz singer, with all the particular qualities, all the necessary touches of huskiness and heart, beat and originality of phrase that identify a singer of jazz. With Joe Newman and Frank Wess on tenor and flute to develop counter-melodies and set down obbligatos, to fill out the ensemble and to strike out for themselves in fresh, free-wheeling solos, the rhythm section—and Beverly—can always depend upon plenty of help.

Tracklist:
01. the Basie-ites - How High the Moon (6:20)
02. the Basie-ites - A Fine Romance (2:53)
03. the Basie-ites - Poor Butterfly (3:18)
04. the Basie-ites - Nobody Else But Me (3:17)
05. the Basie-ites - When I Think About Lovin' You (2:57)
06. the Basie-ites - Isn't This a Lovely Day (3:05)
07. the Basie-ites - My Old Flame (3:47)
08. the Basie-ites - Makin' Whoopee (2:04)
09. the Basie-ites - Can't Get Out Of This Mood (2:48)
10. the Basie-ites - September Song (3:46)
11. the Basie-ites - Old Buttermilk Sky (2:45)
12. the Basie-ites - The More I See You (3:03)
13. the Basie-ites - Blue Moon (3:23)
14. the Basie-ites - I Never Has Seen Snow (3:52)
15. the Basie-ites - Stairway to the Stars (3:01)
16. the Basie-ites - Who Cares What People Say (2:36)
17. the Basie-ites - The Charm of You (2:32)
18. the Basie-ites - Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child (3:36)
19. the Basie-ites - My Kind of Love (2:26)
20. the Basie-ites - Mairzy Doats (2:48)