COUNT BASIE

Happy Birthday

COUNT BASIE

1904-1984

April In Paris

Listen once again to this quintessential Count Basie recording of , April In Paris. Is there anyone in the civilized world who doesn’t know what to say after the last note of this song is played?

AllMusic Review by Christopher Fielder

One of the staples in the Count Basie discography, April in Paris is one of those rare albums that makes its mark as an almost instant classic in the jazz pantheon. April in Paris represents the reassembly of the original Count Basie orchestra that define swing in the 1930s and 1940s. The title track has come to define elegance in orchestral jazz. Though only ten tracks in its original release, seven alternate takes have now been incorporated into Verve's re-release of the original session tapes. Other key tracks include "Corner Pocket" and "Magic," both of which are also featured in the alternate takes. Recorded in 1955 and 1956, April in Paris proved Count Basie's ability to grow through modern jazz changes while keeping the traditional jazz orchestra vital and alive.

Charlie Fowlkes

Baritone Clarinet, Clarinet (Bass)

Eddie Jones

Bass

Frank Wess

Clarinet, Composer, Flute, Guest Artist, Sax (Alto), Sax (Tenor)

Frank Foster

Clarinet, Composer, Guest Artist, Sax (Tenor)

Marshall Royal

Clarinet, Sax (Alto)

Sonny Payne

Drums

Freddie Green

Guest Artist, Guitar

Thad Jones

Guest Artist, Trumpet

Joe Newman

Guest Artist, Trumpet

Bill Graham

Sax (Alto)

Henry Coker

Trombone

Bill Hughes

Trombone

Benny Powell

Trombone

Wendell Culley

Trumpet

Reunald Jones

Trumpet