COUNT BASIE (JAZZ COLLECTION)

Like his friend “Duke” Ellington, William Basie earned his title of “count”. This film is the portrait of a veritable aristocrat of jazz, who spoke and acted as eloquently as he played the piano and led his orchestra. Along with Ellington, Basie was one of the top jazz orchestra leaders for nearly half a century, and his big band was often called the “swing machine”. It is fascinating to look behind the scenes, at Basie’s relationships with his former musicians, such as the trumpeter Buck Clayton, the trombonist Al Grey and the saxsophone player, Illinois Jacquet. Basie was the most subtle and discreet pianist in jazz history. The film focuses closely on this little known side of his talent. Nothing shows this better than excerpts from “The Sound of Jazz””, a magnificient jam session (filmed), where Count Basie is surrounded by the best soloists of classic jazz.