Re-mastering by Ray Staff at Air Mastering, Lyndhurst Hall, London

‘Basie at Birdland’ is a 1961 live album featuring Count Basie and his famed orchestra playing at Birdland in New York City. Recorded on June 27-28th of 1961, and released just one month later in July of that year, ‘Basie at Birdland’ proved once again that Count Basie was one of the world’s best players, band leaders, and flag bearers of Jazz. Birdland, the self-proclaimed, ‘Jazz Corner of the World’ provides a raucous, lively backdrop to the band’s soulful Kansas City style Jazz, on tunes like, ‘Blue Backstage’, and ‘Good Time Blues’ alongside their harder hitting, big band bop. ‘Basie at Birdland’ features the Count at the height of his prowess, and he and his band’s fervent, swinging performance cannot be missed – it’s perfect for novices and aficionados alike.

This is a jaw-dropping recording of Basie’s band in 1961. The band is so tight and swings so hard it sounds at times as if one is listening to a Wurlitzer organ. There simply was no band that swung as hard as Basie’s – at least not as recorded on this live date. Amazing.

Simply the best live recording of a big band ever!

Personnel: Marshal Royal, Alto Saxophone, Clarinet / Frank Wess, Alto Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone, Flute / Charlie Fowlkes, Baritone Saxophone / Eddie Jones, Bass / Sonny Payne, Drums / Freddie Green, Guitar / Count Basie, Piano / Budd Johnson, Frank Foster, Tenor Saxophone / Bennie Powell, Henry Coker, Quentin Jackson, Trombone / Snookie Young, Leonard Johnson, George Cohn, Thad Jones, Trumpet Recorded live on June 27 & 28, 1961 at Birdland, New York City