Led by musical director Scotty Barnhart, the Count Basie Orchestra keeps Basie’s unmistakable style alive and thriving around the world.In the great traction of the Basie Swings albums comes this explosive album of collaborations with some of the greatest living blues and jazz artists, Basie Swings The Blues. In preparation for these sessions, Barnhart took a pilgrimage to the Mississippi Delta to immerse himself in the land where blues began. The resulting album is joyful mix of downhome blues with the deep swing and sophistication that only The Count Basie Orchestra can provide.

The spirit of Basie lives on in the swingin'-est, most surprising musical collaboration this side of late-night featuring Terence Blanchard, Talib Kweli, Larkin Poe, Lettuce & others. Late Night Basie captures the essence of the man and his music. For both the longtime fan and the new listener, surprise and delights await in this timely, important recording. Every track sings and swings, and the entire project is very cool. Just like Basie!

In 1934, 17-year-old Ella Fitzgerald took the stage at Harlem's legendary Apollo Theater on Amateur Night, winning first prize and launching an extraordinary, decade-spanning career. Ella 100: Live at the Apollo! was recorded during the 2016 tribute concert at the Apollo, honoring the First Lady of Song's 100th birthday & commemorating the discovery of her talent. Features vocalists Patti Austin with David Alan Grier, Lizz Wright, Cassandra Wilson, Ledisi, The Count Basie Orchestra and more.

This CD features a logical combination: singer Diane Schuur with the Count Basie big band. In what would be longtime rhythm guitarist Freddie Green's final performance, Schuur and the Basie ghost band (under the direction of Frank Foster) perform material that includes her standards (such as "Deedles' Blues" and "Climbing Higher Mountains"), Dave Brubeck's "Travlin' Blues" and the Joe Williams-associated "Everyday I Have The Blues." Unfortunately, the Basie band is mostly used in accompaniment without any significant solos, but Schuur sounds quite comfortable in this format and her voice is in prime form.

In the history of jazz music, there is only one bandleader that has the distinction of having his orchestra still performing sold out concerts all over the world. The work, with members personally chosen by him, for over 30 years after his passing. Pianist and bandleader William James “Count” Basie was and still is an American institution that personifies the grandeur and the excellence of jazz. The Count Basie Orchestra, today directed by Scotty Barnhart, has won every respected jazz poll in the world at least once, won 18 Grammy Awards, performed for Kings, Queens, and other world royalty, appeared in several movies, television shows, at every major jazz festival and major concert hall in the world.