Basie at Birdland

When this album was recorded (live) in 1961, the Count Basie orchestra was experiencing a massive resurgence. No longer known only as "one of the stars of the Swing Era," Basie's big band got a major shot in the arm (in the late '50s & early '60s) via the dynamic compositions and arrangements of Neal Hefti, Frank Foster (also tenor saxophonist), and Ernie Wilkins. (A few years hence, Basie and band would go on to accompany Ol' Blue Eyes himself, Frank Sinatra, both live and in the studio.) Basie's outfit of the day featured such talents as Thad Jones, Frank Wess, and guest singer Jon Hendricks. Which isn't to say the Count wouldn't revisit his own past triumphs--such as "One O'Clock Jump"--but BIRDLAND is primarily the "new" Basie outfit in all its roaring, hard-swinging glory.