Happy Birthday, Count Basie

August 21 is the birthday of jazz pianist, bandleader, and composer, William "Count" Basie (1904-1984), who popularized the Kansas City style of "head arrangements," unwritten arrangements for big band that featured one soloist playing at a time.

Here is a good example of a Basie "head arrangment," the band playing one of its theme songs, "One O'Clock Jump":

In his book, The 101 Best Jazz Albums, Len Lyons recommends two recordings of Count Basie:

• The Best of Count Basie (MCA MCA2-4050, 2 LPs)
• 16 Men Swinging (Verve V-2-2517, 2 LPs)

Unfortunately, these are only available in vinyl. Jim Determan, who has updated Lyons's list of albums for CD, recommends instead the following titles:

• Count Basie: The Complete Decca Recordings (Buy at Barnes & Noble)
  
• Count Basie: April in Paris (Buy at Barnes & Noble)
  
• Count Basie: Count Basie Swings, Joe Williams Sings (Buy at Barnes & Noble)
  

Robert