From a review of the Playboy Jazz Festival back in June. Sounds like the band is only fair at best. Anyone know how it is going these days?
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"The blues made Count Basie's band famous, and the remains of the group ran through a set's worth of his classics including "Li'l Darlin' " and "Down for the Count." Trombonist Bill Hughes is now directing the ensemble , and the only genuine Count Basie veteran on board is baritone saxophonist John Williams. This was a pretty raw-sounding bunch, and even the blues couldn't rescue it entirely."
Count Basie - 2007
Moderators: Mr Awesomer, JesseMiner, CafeSavoy
Count Basie - 2007
Will big bands ever come back?