THE BASIE-ITES

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 read more...