Count Basie Orchestra (American, Est. 1935)
Third Tour of Great Britain, February, 1959
Program
Autographed by:
Count Basie (American, 1904-1984)
Joe Newman (American, 1922-1992; trumpet)
Wendell Culley (American, 1906-1983; trumpet)
Henry Coker (American, 1919-1979; trombone)
Benny Powell (American, 1930-2010; trombone)
Marshall Royal (American, 1912-1995; alto sax)
Charlie Fowlkes (American, 1916-1980; baritone sax)
Billy Mitchell (American, 1926-2001; tenor sax)
Eddie Jones (American, 1929-1997; bass)
Sonny Payne (American, 1926-1979; drums)
Description & Notes: Original program for Count Basie and his Orchestra, presented by Harold Davidson, for their Third Tour of Great Britain, February, 1959, signed by ten of the band members, including Count Basie: Joe Newman (trumpet), Wendell Culley (trumpet), Henry Coker (trombone), Benny Powel (trombone), Marshall Royal (alto sax), Charlie Fowlkes (baritone sax), Billy Mitchell (tenor sax), Eddie Jones (bass), Sonny Payne (drums), and another yet identified signature. Additionally Sonny Payne has written a “speech bubble” (sans the bubble) next to Louis Armstrong’s open mouth, reminding that Louis Armstrong is coming back to the UK for a new tour in the coming month! The contents of the booklet (over 20 pages, including the front & back cover) give details on the band members, other events in the area, and the program itself.
“COUNT BASIE: William “Count Basie” (1904-1984) started his orchestra in Kansas City in 1935, and proceeded to develop and maintain one of the greatest jazz orchestras in music history. Count Base was able to get many of the greatest instrumentalists and vocalists in jazz tobe part of his orchestra, including Billie Holiday, Lester Youngs, Sweets Edison, Joe Jones, Joe Williams, Snooky Young, Frank Foster, Thad Jones, Frank Wess, and Clark Terry amongst others. The orchestra has played many times for Kings, Queens, and other members of Royalty around the world. Appeared in movies, television shows, tv and radio commercials, won every respected jazz poll in the world at least once, and has 18 Grammy Awards, the most for any orchestra.”
“JOE NEWMAN: A tasteful, fluent soloist with an easily communicative style, Newman has been Basie’s foremost trumpet soloist since January 1952. Before that he played with the Count on and of between 1943-46, while at other times during his career he’s appeared with the Lionel Hampton, J. C. Heard and Illinois Jacquet bands. Born in New Orleans on September 7, 1922, he is a leader in his own right and has recorded with a variety of labels with groups under his own direction, The Midgets, the trumpet-flute feature which was one of the high spots of the band’s two previous British tours, is his most notable composition.
“WENDELL CULLEY: A native of Massachusetts, “Prof.” Culley celebrated his 51st birthday on January 8 this year. One-time principal soloist with the Noble Sissle Orchestra for over ten years, he later appeared with Lionel Hampton’s big band in the ‘forties and recorded with them many times before joining Basie late in 1951. A sensitive, subtle soloist, he is unfortunately featured only infrequently with the band on ballad performances, and his most valid solo – a thoughtful, constructive sequence – is contained on Neal Hefti’s delightful Lil’ Darlin’ (Columbia 33SX 1084)”
“HENRY COKER: A superb technician with a fluent, lyrical delivery, Henry Coker is one of the outstanding trombone soloists in jazz today. A key figure in the Basie band since February 1952, the tall, big-built Texan (he was born in Dallas on Christmas Eve, 1919) spent seven years in Honolulu playing with Hawaiian bands before entering the jazz idiom on a major scale with the Benny Carter Band in Hollywood in 1945. Afterwards, he worked with pianist Eddie Heywood’s Sextet and Illinois Jacquet’s group and freelanced prolifically on the West Coast. An exhilarating, “shouting” soloist on up-tempo “flagwavers”, he’s at his inventive best on more relaxed ballad arrangements.”
“BENNY POWELL: Though young in years – he’s now only 28 – Powell is a mature, adventurous soloist who gained his experience playing with the bands of King Kolax, Ernie Fields and, inevitably, Lionel Hampton. An accomplished bongo drummer and singer, he worked for some time in Ottawa, Canada, before joining Basie in October 1951. Born in New Orleans, he made his professional debut at 14 and has recorded notable solos on sessions directed by, among others, Buck Clayton, Sir Charles Thompson, Frank Wess, and Frank Foster.”
“MARSHALL ROYAL (alto): It was Royal who helped Basie form the current band during the latter part of 1951. Since then he has shouldered the heavy responsibility of deputy leader (taking command at most rehearsals) and is also acknowledged as one of the finest lead saxophonists in contemporary music history. Born in Sapulpa, Oklahoma, on December 5, 1912, he turned professional at 13 and has previously played under Curtis Moseby, Les Hite (throughout most of the ‘thirties), Lionel Hampton, Jack McVea, and Eddie Heywood. A competent alto soloist, he has also studied violin and is occasionally featured with the band on clarinet.”
“BILLY MITCHELL (tenor): The only unfamiliar face in the band since the last tour in October 1957 belongs to Billy Mitchell, who fills the important tenor chair vacated by Eddie “Lockjaw” Davis (now leading his own trio at Basie’s American bar-club). A robust, lusty soloist with a muscular, sometimes aggressive tone, Mitchell (32) hails from Kansas City. In the past he has played with the Jimmie Lunceford, Woody Herman, Lucky Millinder, Milt Buckner and Gil fuller bands, and formerly fronted his own combo (which included Thad Jones). Before joining Basie, Mitchell was a key soloist in the Dizzy Gillespie big band”
“CHARLIE FOWLKES (baritone): The anchor-man of the reed section, Fowlkes has been with the band since its inception in the early ‘fifites. Since then he has blossomed into a formidable, humorous soloist, and his showcase features with the band included two beautiful ballds – the standard Spring is Here and Bill Doggett’s Eventide. On the important Buck Clayton Jam Session series, he has authored noteworthy solos on The Hucklebuck (Philips BBL 7032) and Sentimental Journey (BBL 7040). A native of Brooklyn, where he was bron in February 16, 1916, giant-sized Charlie (six feet four inches tall) has previously played with Arnette Cobb, Tiny Bradshaw, and Lionel Hampton.”
“EDDIE JONES (bass): New Yorker Eddie Jones is a genial giant of a man whose powerful, big-toned bass playing matches his towering physical stature. Born on March 1, 1929, he left New York and was raised in Red Bank, New Jersey – barely a stone’s throw from Basie’s home. He began playing bass while studying at Howard University in 1946, and landed his first really important jazz booking when Basie engaged him on a permanent basis in August 1953. An imaginative, often humorous soloist, he is extensively featured with the band, and his three choruses on Buster Harding’s score Rails (Columbia 33CX 10065) are indicative of his exceptional solo ability.”
“SONNY PAYNE (drums): The son of noted drummer Chris Columbus, Sonny Payne previously sparked the sadly underrated and little-heard Erskine Hawkins Band before replacing Gus Johnson with the Basie outfit in December 1954. A colourful personality and an attacking, explosive, though tasteful drummer, Sonny comes from New York where he was born in 1926. An excellent, kicking rhythm drummer, he is also an equally good soloist, and his feature showcases with Basie included Dinner With Friends and Ol’ Man River.
