Uploaded by projazz on November 21, 2017 at 9:50 pm

is an album by pianist/bandleader, his first released on the Verve label, recorded in 1955 and 1956. "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/AllMusic April in Paris " (Vernon Duke and E.Y. "Yip" Harburg) – 3:47 " Corner Pocket " (Freddie Green) – 5:15 " Didn't You? " (Frank Foster) – 4:43 " Sweetie Cakes " (Ernest Brooks "Ernie" Wilkins) – 3:58 " Magic " (Frank Wess) – 3:06 " Shiny Stockings " (Foster) – 5:14 " What Am I Here For " (Duke Ellington and Frankie Laine, arr. Foster) – 3:19 " Midgets " (Joe Newman) – 3:13 " Mambo Inn " (Mario Bauzá, Edgar Melvin Sampson and Bobby Woodlen) – 3:23 " Dinner with Friends " (Neal Hefti) – 3:05Recorded at Fine Sound in New York City on July 26, 1955 (tracks 1-4 ), January 4, 1956 (track 5-8 ) and January 5, 1956 (tracks 9 and 10).Count Basie - piano Wendell Culley (tracks 1-7 & 9), Reunald Jones (tracks 1-7 & 9), Thad Jones (tracks 1-7 & 9), Joe Newman - trumpet Henry Coker, Bill Hughes, Benny Powell - trombone (tracks 1-7 & 9) Marshall Royal - alto saxophone, clarinet (tracks 1-7 & 9) Bill Graham - alto saxophone (tracks 1-7 & 9) Frank Wess - alto saxophone, tenor saxophone, flute, clarinet (tracks 1-7 & 9) Frank Foster - tenor saxophone, clarinet (tracks 1-7 & 9) Charlie Fowlkes - baritone saxophone, bass clarinet (tracks 1-7 & 9) Freddie Green - guitar Eddie Jones - bass Sonny Payne - drums Jose Mangual, Ubaldo Nieto - percussion (track 9) William "Wild Bill" Davis (tracks 1 ), Freddie Green (tracks 2 ), Neal Hefti (track 1), Frank Foster (tracks 3, 6, 7, 9), Joe Newman (tracks 8 ), Ernie Wilkins (track 4) - arranger ___________________________ Released: 1957 Recorded: July 26, 1955 and January 4 & 5, 1956 Fine Sound, New York City Label: Verve MGV 8012 Producer: Norman Granz

April in Paris is an album by pianist/bandleader Count Basie and His Orchestra, his first released on the Verve label, recorded in 1955 and 1956.

“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/AllMusic.

Track listing:

“April in Paris” (Vernon Duke and E.Y. “Yip” Harburg) – 3:47

“Corner Pocket” (Freddie Green) – 5:15

“Didn’t You?” (Frank Foster) – 4:43

“Sweetie Cakes” (Ernest Brooks “Ernie” Wilkins) – 3:58

“Magic” (Frank Wess) – 3:06

“Shiny Stockings” (Foster) – 5:14

“What Am I Here For” (Duke Ellington and Frankie Laine, arr. Foster) – 3:19

“Midgets” (Joe Newman) – 3:13

“Mambo Inn” (Mario Bauzá, Edgar Melvin Sampson and Bobby Woodlen) – 3:23

“Dinner with Friends” (Neal Hefti) – 3:05

Recorded at Fine Sound in New York City on July 26, 1955 (tracks 1-4 ), January 4, 1956 (track 5-8 ) and January 5, 1956 (tracks 9 and 10).

Personnel:

Count Basie – piano

Wendell Culley (tracks 1-7 & 9), Reunald Jones (tracks 1-7 & 9), Thad Jones (tracks 1-7 & 9), Joe Newman – trumpet

Henry Coker, Bill Hughes, Benny Powell – trombone (tracks 1-7 & 9)

Marshall Royal – alto saxophone, clarinet (tracks 1-7 & 9)

Bill Graham – alto saxophone (tracks 1-7 & 9)

Frank Wess – alto saxophone, tenor saxophone, flute, clarinet (tracks 1-7 & 9)

Frank Foster – tenor saxophone, clarinet (tracks 1-7 & 9)

Charlie Fowlkes – baritone saxophone, bass clarinet (tracks 1-7 & 9)

Freddie Green – guitar

Eddie Jones – bass

Sonny Payne – drums

Jose Mangual, Ubaldo Nieto – percussion (track 9)

William “Wild Bill” Davis (tracks 1 ), Freddie Green (tracks 2 ), Neal Hefti (track 1), Frank Foster (tracks 3, 6, 7, 9), Joe Newman (tracks 8 ), Ernie Wilkins (track 4) – arranger

___________________________

Released: 1957

Recorded: July 26, 1955 and January 4 & 5, 1956

Fine Sound, New York City

Label: Verve

MGV 8012

Producer: Norman Granz



