• The complete performance by Count Basie and His Orchestra at The Americana Hotel, in Miami, on May 31, 1959, a small part of which appeared on the 1959 album ‘Breakfast Dance and Barbecue’ (Roulette).
• This 2CD set showcases the Atomic Basie orchestra in a superb live setting. Plus there are eleven bonus tracks : a selection of instrumental tunes recorded by the same formation of the Basie band, live at the Crescendo Club, in Los Angeles, during June 1958.
• His hit albums ‘April in Paris’ (1956) and ‘The Atomic Mr. Basie’ (1957) allowed him to continue fronting a big band at a time when (with the popularity of bebop, cool jazz, and soon, rock & roll) affording the costs of maintaining such a large group was extremely difficult.
• Personnel : Thad Jones, Harry “Sweets” Edison (on one track only), Snooky Young, Joe Newman, Wendell Culley (tp), Henry Coker, Al Grey, Benny Powell (tb), Marshall Royal (as, cl), Frank Wess (as, ts, fl), Billy Mitchell (ts), Charlie Fowlkes (bar, b-cl), Count Basie (p), Freddie Green (g), Eddie Jones (b), Sonny Payne (d), Joe Williams (vcl on 10 tracks) - The Americana Hotel, Miami, Florida, May 31, 1959. On bonus tracks, same personnel except Harry “Sweets” Edison omitted - Crescendo Club, Los Angeles, June 24-25, 1958.
• 2 CD Set - Total Time : 147:52 mins. - 36 tracks (11 bonus) - Includes 12-page booklet. |
