First Time! The Count Meets the Duke

by Duke Ellington, Count Basie

Overview

A battle of the bands? Not quite -- more like a mutual admiration society, with the orchestras of both jazz titans playing together. (The Duke is heard on the right side of your stereo/headphones, the Count on the left.) Ellington's elegance and unique voicings meet Basie's rollicking, blues-based Kansas City swing, and it works gloriously. There's no clutter, each band is focused, and they sound great together. This is not the thoughtful, reflective composer side of Ellington (listeners should check out Far East Suite or Black, Brown & Beige for that). The Duke and his band accentuate their swinging dance band side, while Basie and company have never sounded as suave and exotic as when playing Billy Strayhorn arrangements. Everyone has a good time, and that joy infuses this album from start to finish. ~ John Bush

Product Details

Release Date:	10/20/2009
Label:	Col
UPC:	0886975696024

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Count Basie   Primary Artist,Piano
Duke Ellington   Primary Artist,Piano
Duke Ellington & His Orchestra   Primary Artist
Frank Wess   Guest Artist,Flute,Sax (Tenor)
Thad Jones   Guest Artist,Trumpet
Frank Foster   Guest Artist,Sax (Tenor)
Juan Tizol   Guest Artist,Trombone,Tambourine
Harry Carney   Guest Artist,Sax (Bass),Sax (Baritone)
Paul Gonsalves   Guest Artist,Soloist,Sax (Tenor)
Johnny Hodges   Guest Artist,Sax (Alto)
Billy Strayhorn   Guest Artist,Piano
Snooky Young   Trumpet
Benny Powell   Trombone
Freddie Green   Guitar
Jimmy Hamilton   Clarinet,Sax (Tenor)
Marshall Royal   Sax (Alto)
Quentin Jackson   Trombone
Ray Nance   Violin,Trumpet
Aaron Bell   Bass
Budd Johnson   Sax (Tenor)
Gonsalves   Sax (Tenor)
Henry Coker   Trombone
Sonny Payne   Drums
Lawrence Brown   Trombone
Sonny Cohn   Trumpet
Quentin "Butter" Jackson   Trombone
Willie Cook   Trumpet
Carney   Sax (Baritone)
Woodyard   Drums
Fats Ford   Trumpet
Butter Jackson   Trombone
Eddie Jones   Bass
Charlie Fowlkes   Sax (Bass),Sax (Baritone)
Russell Procope   Reeds,Sax (Alto)
Cat Anderson   Trumpet
Lou Blackburn   Trombone
Lonnie Johnson   Trumpet
Sam Woodyard   Drums

Technical Credits

Stanley Dance   Liner Notes
Teo Macero   Producer
Ted Shapiro   Composer
Duke Ellington   Composer,Performer
Count Basie   Composer,Performer
Thad Jones   Composer
Frank Wess   Composer
Freddie Green   Composer
Phil Schaap   Producer,Research,Liner Notes,Remastering,Restoration
Billy Strayhorn   Composer
Aaron Bell   Liner Notes
Milt Jackson   Composer
Don Wolf   Composer
Tim Geelan   Engineer
Debra Parkinson   Digital Remastering
Tommy Dorsey   Composer
Donald Wolf   Composer
Seth Rothstein   Project Director
George T. Simon   Liner Notes
Howard Fritzson   Art Direction
Henry Parker   Cover Photo
Count Basie Orchestra   Performer
Duke Ellington Orchestra   Performer
Randall Martin   Design
Don Hunstein   Photography
Benny Davis   Composer
Frank Foster   Composer
John Jackson   Production Assistant