April in Paris

Artist: Count Basie

Year: 1957

Genre: Big Band

Grade: A

Highlights: “April in Paris”, “Corner Pocket”, “Sweetie Cakes”

There’s nothing like big band swing when it’s done right. Count Basie was 52-years-old when April in Paris was originally released in 1956. But that doesn’t mean he was past his prime. In fact, he aged like a fine wine. April in Paris is incredibly lively and energetic, showing that jazz’s elder statesman still knew how to one o’clock jump if given ample opportunity. The climax of the title track is so good that the Count Basie Orchestra plays it not once, not twice, but thrice.