(Screenshots by Ken Drew)
Tonight's theme was Count Basie's All-American rhythm section, the name given to the four musicians who underpinned the roaring big band that set Kansas City alight during the 1930s. Bill Basie, Freddie Green, Walter Page and Jo Jones may seem a hard act to follow but homework had been done and our All-British (well 75%) rhythm section did the business.
The ringer, Will Sach, ex NYC, did the announcements and played bass to suit. Needless to say that Joe Webb, who can handle just about any style, slotted into the Count's mode seamlessly whilst Jas Kayser, playing mainly brushes, was right on the money.
This was just so therapeutic and I don't mean Easy Listening although it was easy to listen to. Count Basie, after being asked, what makes good jazz replied: Four beats to the bar and no cheatin'.
We got that tonight!
In my dreams, I was imagining Lester Young suddenly appearing and turning it into the Kansas City Five - maybe someday one of the KS tenor players will give it a whirl!
I didn't catch all of the titles, partly because I was switching back and forward twixt YT and FB trying to work out which of the two froze the least - it seemed to be about 51/49 YT - and Sach didn't always announce the titles but, never mind, the numbers I did note included such classics as Jive at Five; Handful of Keys; Jumpin' at the Woodside and L'il Darlin'. What memories I have of this latter tune! Lying in bed, late one night listening to Willis Conover on the Voice of America (in special English). I rushed out the next day and bought The Atomic Mr Basie! I also remember Ronnie McLean telling me, after Alan Price had sat in at the New Orleans Club, that Pricey didn't know the chords to L'il Darlin'!
So to sum up, another great set from KS in front of a live audience which is what we all want for Christmas - a live gig to go to without having to eat a Scotch egg!
Lance
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