Count Basie was one of many big-band jazz leaders who had to scale back to a small group for a time around 1950, due to the lack of performing opportunities. But within a couple of years, he rebuilt his so-called "New Testament" band, with a new generation of excellent soloists, composers, and arrangers. This newly discovered concert, issued as the first of two parts by TCB in early 2009, come from a broadcast recorded for Swiss Radio during a 1956 European tour. The sound is excellent, while Basie's reserved style at the piano, together with the potent rhythm section (guitarist Freddie Green, bassist Eddie Jones, and drummer Sonny Payne), keep the band swinging. Tenor saxophonist Frank Foster's "Shiny Stockings" became a staple of the band, though this version features the magnificent trumpeter Thad Jones. Tenor saxophonist Frank Wess and trombonist Henry Coker shine in the boisterous "Sixteen Men Swinging." The band even gets on a Latin kick with Mario Bauzá's "Mambo Inn." One song played during the tour is unidentified, an easygoing swinger featuring Basie with the rhythm section. This enjoyable live CD is warmly recommended to fans of Count Basie. ~ Ken Dryden, All Music Guide
Swiss Radio Days, Vol. 19
02/10/2009 | Tcb Music
All Music Guide Review
Swiss Radio Days, Vol. 19 Track Listing
Credits of Swiss Radio Days, Vol. 19
- Sonny Payne
- Drums
- Benny Powell
- Trombone
- Frank Wess
- Reeds
- Scott Yanow
- Liner Notes
- Eddie Jones
- Bass
- Yvan Ischer
- Radio Consultant
- Peter Schmidlin
- Executive Producer
- Peter Burli
- Producer
- Theo Zwicky
- Photography
- Bill Graham
- Reeds
- Henry Coker
- Trombone
- Wendell Culley
- Trumpet
- Blaise Favre
- Digital Editing, Mastering
- Frank Foster
- Reeds
- Charlie Fowlkes
- Reeds
- Bill Hughes
- Trombone
- Count Basie
- Piano, Leader
- Freddie Green
- Guitar
- Thad Jones
- Trumpet
- Joe Newman
- Trumpet
- Marshall Royal
- Reeds












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