Count Basie

Along with Benny Goodman and Duke Ellington, William “Count” Basie defined popular swing in the 1930s and ’40s. His late-’50s LPs, including April in Paris and The Atomic Mr. Basie, capture a late-career renaissance that represent the Count at his finest.

Discography

  • Count Basie Swings, Joe Williams Sings (1955, with Joe Williams) A-
    • Basie’s orchestra stomps rather than swings, a perfect match for Joe Williams’ strongman blues holler. Basie brings out the best in Williams, and Williams brings out a bluesier side of Basie — a welcome change-of-pace that returns the 51-year-old swing bandleader to his Kansas City roots.