April in Paris

by Count Basie & His Orchestra, Count Basie

Overview

One of the staples in the Count Basie discography, April in Paris is one of those rare albums that makes its mark as an almost instant classic in the jazz pantheon. April in Paris represents the reassembly of the original Count Basie orchestra that define swing in the 1930s and 1940s. The title track has come to define elegance in orchestral jazz. Though only ten tracks in its original release, seven alternate takes have now been incorporated into Verve's re-release of the original session tapes. Other key tracks include "Corner Pocket" and "Magic," both of which are also featured in the alternate takes. Recorded in 1955 and 1956, April in Paris proved Count Basie's ability to grow through modern jazz changes while keeping the traditional jazz orchestra vital and alive. ~ Christopher Fielder

Product Details

Release Date:	12/10/2013
Label:	Verve
UPC:	0600753458938
Rank:	6485

Tracks

1. April in Paris
2. Corner Pocket
3. Didn't You
4. Sweety Cakes
5. Magic
6. Shiny Stockings
7. What Am I Here For?
8. Midgets
9. Mambo Inn
10. Dinner With Friends

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Count Basie & His Orchestra   Primary Artist
Count Basie   Primary Artist,Piano
Count Basie Orchestra   Primary Artist
Freddie Green   Guest Artist,Guitar
Frank Wess   Guest Artist,Flute,Clarinet,Sax (Alto),Sax (Tenor)
Frank Foster   Guest Artist,Clarinet,Sax (Tenor)
Thad Jones   Guest Artist,Trumpet
Joe Newman   Guest Artist,Trumpet
Benny Powell   Trombone
Bill Hughes   Trombone
Eddie Jones   Bass,Bass
Bill Graham   Sax (Alto)
Jose Mengual   Percussion
Charlie Fowlkes   Clarinet (Bass),Baritone Clarinet
Wendell Culley   Trumpet
Joe Williams   Vocals
Marshall Royal   Clarinet,Sax (Alto)
Reunald Jones   Trumpet
Henry Coker   Trombone
Sonny Payne   Drums
Ubaldo Nieto   Percussion

Technical Credits

Shelton Brooks   Composer
Andy Razaf   Composer
Gene DePaul   Composer
Jimmy Mundy   Composer
Vernon Duke   Composer
Duke Ellington   Composer
Lovett   Composer
Monaco   Composer
Murray Mencher   Composer
Sammy Fain   Composer
Sammy Cahn   Composer
Johnny Burke   Composer
Bobby Woodlen   Composer
George Woodlen   Composer
Spencer Williams   Composer
Irving Kahal   Composer
Ernest Brooks Wilkins   Composer
Saunders   Composer
Joseph Goreed Williams   Composer
Max Barker   Interviewer
Joel Kaps   Liner Notes
Jay Martins   Composer
Count Basie   Composer,Interviewee
Bennie Moten   Composer
Frank Wess   Composer
Frankie Laine   Composer
Eddie Durham   Composer
Freddie Green   Composer
Frank Foster   Composer
Fats Waller   Composer
Benny Goodman   Composer
Edgar Sampson   Composer
Walter Donaldson   Composer
Don Raye   Composer
Ernie Wilkins   Composer
Joe Newman   Composer
Turner   Composer
Luann Saunders   Composer
Percy Mayfield   Composer
Jelly Roll Morton   Composer
Neal Hefti   Composer
Jesse Stone   Composer
Harry Brooks   Composer
Paul Francis Webster   Composer
Billy Moll   Composer
Clarence Williams   Composer
E.Y. "Yip" Harburg   Composer
Jeanne Burns   Composer
Mario Bauza   Composer