wildbill@ucbvax.UUCP (William J. Laubenheimer) (04/29/84)
Yes, it is a sad day for all who love music. Although I am still in
the process of learning the jazz idiom, much of my desire to explore
jazz came from hearing some of the many outstanding cuts produced
by the Count and his orchestra. Re his piano work, nobody could get
more out of less.
First Monk, now Basie. A generation of musicians is disappearing,
and I regret that I seem to have been born just a bit late to
really get to know them and their music. Sure, there are records,
but I've been to New Orleans, and I know the difference.
Bill Laubenheimer
----------------------------------------UC-Berkeley Computer Science
...Basie WAS here! ucbvax!wildbilllincoln@eosp1.UUCP (Dick Lincoln) (04/30/84)
> ... It is a sad day for all who love music. Although I am still in > the process of learning the jazz idiom, much of my desire to explore > jazz came from hearing some of the many outstanding cuts produced by > the Count and his orchestra. Re his piano work, nobody could get more > out of less. You should also hear his small group work of the 50's and 60's, particularly what he did on organ. Re: jazz piano minimalists - listen to John Lewis, particularly his many years directing the Modern Jazz Quartet. His musical philosophy is consistent throughout his arrangements and improvised piano solos. In my opinion he gets more out of less than did Basie (no slight intended to the Count). While we're at it, let's pay tribute to another jazz keyboard giant who died last Monday - Red Garland. Red was a pivotal member of Miles Davis's "super" rhythm section in the '50s and '60s that included Paul Chambers and "Philly" Joe Jones. In strict jazz piano terms Red's influence was far greater that Count Basie's, whose playing was mostly derived from Fats Waller, Earl "Fatha" Hines and other pianists of similar styles. Red created new harmonic and block chording approaches to jazz piano playing. Count's influence came mostly from how he used absorbed ideas in marvelously perfect meter to help drive his superbly swinging bands, and his ability to assemble and maintain those groups.