Count Basie Orchestra(Profile/Biography)
Count Basie Orchestra has had the honored of a private jam session and performance by command of the King of Thailand. They have also played in the prestigious Montreux Jazz Festival’s 25th Anniversary, broadcast the premiere of London Radio Station, JAZZ-FM London with Ella Fitzgerald, performed at the Presidential Inauguration of Ronald Reagan and John F. Kennedy, played in a Royal Command Performance for her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, recorded the Wall Street movie sound track accompaniment to Frank Sinatra, and participated in television advertising campaign for corporations like Ford Motor and Lincoln-Mercury.
The Orchestra’s multi-award winning sensation and recordings include 17 Grammy Awards, 12 Downbeat Reader's & Critic's Poll for Best Big Band, Jazz Times Critic's & Reader's Poll, and 14 recordings including “Ray Charles Sings Basie Swings” and newly recorded "Basie is Back - recorded live in Japan".
The Count Basie Orchestra of today is nineteen performers committed to upholding and advancing this “American Institution.” Some members are new, yet the majority of the sound still swings from musicians handpicked by Count Basie himself. They are in demand for television and films, have won every respected jazz poll in the world at least once, and continue to accumulate awards and special recognitions.