Count Basie Orchestra - Swinging, Singing, Playing

This recording by the Count Basie Orchestra keeps the Basie sound alive with the assistance of some very special guests including pianists Hank Jones and Geri Allen; singer/pianist Jamie Cullum; vocalists Nnenna Freelon and Janis Siegel; and vocalese legend Jon Hendricks.

'Swinging, Singing, Playing: The Count Basie Orchestra Salutes the Jazz Masters' also brings on board three veterans of earlier Basie Bands - flautist Frank Wess, trombonist Curtis Fuller and drummer Butch Miles - and is the brainchild of CBO producer/conductor of special projects Dennis Wilson (a former Basie Band trombonist). This sparkling recording is Wilson's tribute to jazz masters, past and present and includes his arrangements of tunes from the orchestra's library and also four originals.

Undoubtedly this CD achieves just what its title boasts: a swinging good time of extraordinary blues-fuelled performances that hail various jazz legends.