Count Basie was the fulcrum that swung at the center of the swing band era, and the list of amazing musicians who served in
Basie's orchestra in one capacity or another is more than impressive (a list that includes
Lester Young,
Jimmy Rushing,
B.B. King,
Billy Eckstine,
Don Byas,
Snooky Young, and many others). This set, which spans 1937 to 1959 and includes classics like "One O'Clock Jump," "Lester Leaps In," "Stormy Monday Blues," and "Ain't Misbehavin'," among others, makes a nice introduction (at a budget price) to
Basie's signature brand of Kansas City swing.