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Jamie Davis and Kenny Hing of
the Count Basie OrchestraThe Basie Band at the Bird
BY LARS BJÕRN
he Count Basie Orchestra under the direction of trombonist Grover Mitchell visited the new Bird of Paradise on Main Street in Ann Arbor on May 18. A sizable audience showed up, despite a severe rainstorm. Those who braved the elements enjoyed an evening filled with Basie standards, like the opener "Shiny Stockings." It was a joy to hear the various sections roar on classic arrangements like "Blues In Hoss' Flat" and "One O'Clock Jump."
The band has a number of accomplished soloists, and I was particularly impressed with Kenny Hing's tenor sax. He swung wildly on the theme song and Sam Nestico's "The Heat's On." On "My One and Only Love," he delivered a soulful solo and imaginatively backed Jamie Davis' full-toned vocals. Pianist Tony Suggs pulled off the requisite Basie accents with elegance and added some inspired delayed rhythmic accents of his own to Thad Jones' "From One to Another." Butch Miles' drums provided the necessary kick to the charts and his sense of showmanship was still there. Let's hope for better weather next time the band comes to town.
IN THIS ISSUE
1. REMEMBERING KENTON----2. PATTON COLLINS QUINTET
3. BOB & DAVE SHOW----4. BASIE BAND
5. MICHIGAN JAZZ FESTIVAL----6. BIRMINGHAM JAZZ FESTIVAL
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