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From: lincoln@eosp1.UUCP (Dick Lincoln)
Newsgroups: net.music
Subject: Re: Basie's Gone (repost for inews problems)
Message-ID: <830@eosp1.UUCP>
Date: Mon, 30-Apr-84 11:26:30 EDT
Article-I.D.: eosp1.830
Posted: Mon Apr 30 11:26:30 1984
Date-Received: Tue, 1-May-84 08:17:02 EDT
References: <504@ucbvax.UUCP>
Organization: Exxon Office Systems, Princeton, NJ
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> ... It is a sad day for all who love music. Although I am still in
> the process of learning the jazz idiom, much of my desire to explore
> jazz came from hearing some of the many outstanding cuts produced by
> the Count and his orchestra. Re his piano work, nobody could get more
> out of less.

You should also hear his small group work of the 50's and 60's,
particularly what he did on organ.  Re: jazz piano minimalists - listen
to John Lewis, particularly his many years directing the Modern Jazz
Quartet.  His musical philosophy is consistent throughout his
arrangements and improvised piano solos.  In my opinion he gets more
out of less than did Basie (no slight intended to the Count).

While we're at it, let's pay tribute to another jazz keyboard giant who
died last Monday - Red Garland.  Red was a pivotal member of Miles
Davis's "super" rhythm section in the '50s and '60s that included Paul
Chambers and "Philly" Joe Jones.  In strict jazz piano terms Red's
influence was far greater that Count Basie's, whose playing was mostly
derived from Fats Waller, Earl "Fatha" Hines and other pianists of
similar styles.  Red created new harmonic and block chording approaches
to jazz piano playing.  Count's influence came mostly from how he used
absorbed ideas in marvelously perfect meter to help drive his superbly
swinging bands, and his ability to assemble and maintain those groups.