Count Basie - Songbook With Friends Limited Edition

Maestro of Swing. Count Basie is considered an outstanding figure in the world of jazz. Born William James Basie in New Jersey in 1904, he rose to become a titan of the genre. His legendary Count Basie Orchestra, with its incisive rhythm section and minimalist piano style, set new standards. He led the group for almost 50 years and created innovations such as the use of two "split" tenor saxophones, the emphasis on the rhythm section, riffing with a big band, the use of arrangers, always to expand the sound. In addition, his countless collaborations have produced unique recordings, which are compiled in the Songbook with Friends. These include songs with Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, Duke Ellington, Tony Bennett, Sarah Vaughan and Joe Williams. In the course of his illustrious career, he received nine Grammy Awards, including a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. Count Basie ignited a passion for the big band sound in several generations and left behind a truly influential body of work that has lost none of its fascination to this day.