"Count Basie: the 1950 Octet" on Night Lights

[ghost of miles]

This week on Night Lights it's "Count Basie: the 1950 Octet and Combo." In January of 1950, beleagured by the business woes that had afflicted so many other big bands around this time, Count Basie broke up the orchestra that he had been leading for 14 years. The small group that he formed in its wake featured younger, bop-oriented musicians such as tenor saxophonist Wardell Grey, baritone saxophonist Serge Chaloff, and clarinetist Buddy DeFranco. The band, which ranged in size from a sextet to an octet during its existence, recorded a handful of sides for Victor and Columbia and was also captured on airchecks. We'll hear collaborations with former Basie big-band singers Billie Holiday and Helen Humes, as well as a live version of the bop anthems "How High the Moon" and "Ornithology," and some early writing contributions from Neal Hefti, who would play an important role in Basie's "New Testament" big band later on in the 1950s. "Count Basie: the 1950 Octet" airs tonight at 11:05 p.m. (9:05 p.m. California time, 12:05 a.m. NYC time) on WFIU. You can listen live, or wait until Monday afternoon, when the program will be posted in the Night Lights archives.

Next week: "At the Birth of Bop." Charlie Parker & Dizzy Gillespie at New York City's Town Hall, June 1945.

[Big Al]

I am SO there!!! Y'know, at 11:20 EST, you could play "9:20 Special" for the folks in the Pacific time zone!

BTW, any chance that an answer to a current BFT might be revealed? (for MartyJazz)

(edited because I don't know my time zones....... sheesh!)

Edited August 21, 2005 by Big Al

[ghost of miles]

Up for broadcast in about five minutes... Bob Porter's "Portraits in Blue" still on right now. Don't know about the BFT--I'd better check that out!

[Big Al]

Missed the broadcast, just got done listening to the archive. Another fine show, Ghost! Those '50's sessions on the Columbia comp are worth the price of admission alone; pity they were spread over two discs!

And yes, there is an answer to the current BFT in the broadcast! It's the kickoff track (not "Miss DD"). Had to dig out my BFT to see if I was just imagining things, but no, there it is!