Chairman of the Board

Artist: Count Basie

Number of Discs: 1

Label: Roulette
Availability: In stock
Item #: 5181575

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Review

Although it appeared at a time when Count Basie was enjoying respect from all quarters (as evidenced by the pop acclaim of several Grammy awards and the jazz faithful's enthusiasm for his concert at Newport), Chairman of the Board was, comparatively, a low-profile session. The record was surrounded in Basie's discography by several prize-winners and a parade of studio collaborations -- with vocalists Tony Bennett, Lambert, Hendricks & Ross, and Billy Eckstine, plus arranger Neal Hefti. This 1958 date for Roulette was a rare chance for the orchestra to perform on its own, and listeners to hear how powerful the band could be when its concentration was undiverted. Of course, Basie's band already possessed three fine arrangers (Frank Foster, Thad Jones, and Frank Wess) and at least a dozen solo voices. Each of the ten songs on Chairman of the Board were originals by Foster, Jones, Wess, or Ernie Wilkins, all of them arranged by the composer. The record is admittedly heavy on the blues, but it's a brassy, powerful vision of the blues; Foster's "Blues in Hoss' Flat" and Wilkins' "Kansas City Shout" take the band back to its hometown, beginning with a subtle swing but ending with a raucous display of power from each section. The contributions by Jones and Wess provide a necessary complement to that forceful swing. Jones' "Speaking of Sounds" employs the woodwinds to provide color and texture, while Wess' "Segue in C" relies on bassist Eddie Jones and Basie's piano to lead the band while Wess himself takes several choruses on alto sax. A dynamic date, it shows the "new testament" edition of Basie's orchestra in top form. ~ John Bush, All Music Guide

Read About This Recording

During the early 1950s the big band era was on a decline. Bookings had dropped dramatically and the big 16-piece sound was being transformed into quintets. Although Basie had followed the crowd and formed a septet he missed that big, bold sound. Chairman of the Board marks Basie's return to those thrilling days of that big band swing.

For this new edition, Basie developed an ensemble of swinging power and great precision, which covered many moods and colors, especially the blues idiom, one of his permanent staples. Six of the ten original tracks are blues swingers reflecting the band's Kansas City roots. Basie also showcases the superb compositions of his fine musicians such as saxophonists Frank Foster and Frank Wess, and trumpeter Thad Jones, as well as his former saxophonist Ernie Wilkins. Eleven of the 12 tracks were composed by these musicians and one co-written by Eddie Durham and Basie. Wess' flute and Eddie Jones' bass lead on Thad Jones' Mutt & Jeff, a take on the blues featuring a funky solo by Wess, as bassist Eddie Jones runs a perfect melodic course and guitarist Freddie Green shines as he keeps a hypnotizing beat throughout. Basie and this ensemble define the meaning of jazz and how to swing in a blues element.

-Ron Scott

Blues in Hoss' Flat; H.R.H. (Her Royal Highness); Segue in C; Kansas City Shout; Speaking of Sounds; TV Time; Who, Me?; The Deacon; Half Moon Street; Mutt & Jeff; Fair and Warmer*; Moten Swing.*

(*Bonus tracks, not part of original album.)

Count Basie, Piano; Snooky Young, Wendell Culley, Thad Jones, Joe Newman, Trumpets; Henry Coker, Al Grey, Benny Powell, Trombones; Marshall Royal, Alto Sax/Clarinet; Frank Wess, Alto Sax/Flute; Frank Foster, Billy Mitchell, Tenor Saxes; Charlie Fowlkes, Baritone Sax/Bass Clarinet; Freddie Green, Guitar; Eddie Jones, Bass; Sonny Payne, Drums.

Tracks + Soundclips

Chairman of the Board
	1. Blues in Hoss' Flat	3:13
	2. H.R.H. (Her Royal Highness)	2:40
	3. Segue in C	6:15
	4. Kansas City Shout	3:34
	5. Speaking of Sounds	3:27
	6. TV Time	3:16
	7. Who, Me?	5:13
	8. Deacon	4:50
	9. Half Moon Street	3:25
	10. Mutt & Jeff	3:39
	11. Fair and Warmer [*]	3:35
	12. Moten Swing [*]	4:51

Details and Credits

Product Details

Label: Roulette
Release date: 1959/04/18

Styles

Swing
Big Band

Browse all jazz styles

Album Credits
Performance Credits
Al Grey	Trombone
Benny Powell	Trombone
Billy Mitchell	Sax (Tenor)
Charlie Fowlkes	Clarinet (Bass)
Count Basie	Piano
Eddie Jones	Bass
Frank Wess	Flute
Freddie Green	Guitar
Henry Coker	Trombone
Joe Newman	Trumpet
Marshall Royal	Clarinet
Snooky Young	Trumpet
Sonny Payne	Drums
Thad Jones	Trumpet
Wendell Culley	Trumpet

Technical Credits
Bob Bernotas	Liner Notes
Burton Yount	Reissue Design
Ernie Wilkins	Arranger
Frank Foster	Arranger
Malcolm Addey	Tape Transfer
Michael Cuscuna	Reissue Producer
Ron McMaster	Mastering
Teddy Reig	Producer