Tartellog

This week, with my nose firmly back to the grindstone, I pay tribute to the great Count Basie. I consider myself quite fortunate to have seen Count Basie several times before he died.  More than any other big band, Count Basie’s Band was about the ensemble.  This is not meant to take away from the fantastic ensemble playing of any other band, or from the spectacular soloists on the Basie Band.  But the ensemble writing and playing of the Basie Band holds a very special place for me.  Here’s Shiny Stockings:

Very soon will be an update on the fantastic March I had, which included being featured with Vince DiMartino in front of the U.S. Navy Band at the National Trumpet Competition, and playing the film score to West Side Story with the Houston Symphony Orchestra.