APRIL 9

               COUNT  BASIE
                Basie & Zoot
            
                   Recording Date: 
                        April 9, 1975

                   Personnel:
                       Count Basie     O,P 
                       Louie Bellson   D 
                       John Heard      B
                       Zoot Sims       TS

               LINK RETIRED

Review by Scott Yanow
This is a classic encounter that has been reissued on CD in the Original Jazz Classics series. Pianist Count Basie (in his best-small group outing of the 1970's) and tenor-saxophonist Zoot Sims were mutually inspired by each other's presence and, with the tasteful assistance of bassist John Heard and drummer Louie Bellson, they can be heard playing at the peak of their creative powers. Every listener interested in swinging jazz should pick up this disc, if only to hear these hard-charging versions of "I Never Knew," "It's Only A Paper Moon" and "Honeysuckle Rose." A gem, essential music.