Audience Jazzed By Count Basie Orchestra

By Nancy K. Crevier

Stay at home and listen to jazz recordings on the CD player, or go out into the chilly spring night and hear some of the great jazz musicians live and in person? It was not much of a toss-up for the area residents who opted for the latter on Tuesday evening, May 9. Thanks to the efforts of the Newtown High School Band Parents Corporation, music lovers had the opportunity to enjoy a very special night of jazz performed by musicians young and old at Newtown High School.

A near capacity crowd filled the auditorium to hear an excellent performance by the Newtown High School Jazz Ensemble. The Jazz Ensemble, under the direction of Kurt Eckhardt, provided but a spirited warm-up to the featured attraction, though — The World Famous Count Basie Orchestra.

Although Count Basie died in 1984, the band continues to perform all over the world. Members include several hired by the Count before his death. John Williams on baritone saxophone, Clarence Banks on trombone, Butch Miles on drums, James Leary on bass and Bill Hughes, bass trombone and band leader, all performed with Count Basie and continue to add their innovative skills to the sound of the orchestra.

The world-renowned 18-piece orchestra performed a one-and-a-half hour concert that alternately soothed the senses and raised the rafters. Bill Hughes, band leader and a Count Basie Orchestra member for over 50 years, led the way as the bold sounds of the trumpet and trombone sections melded with the smooth sounds of the saxophones and the steady beat of a tight rhythm section to present one after another of the Big Band sounds that have made the band a success for over 70 years.

Mr Hughes made certain to highlight not only the more experienced members of the orchestra, but the new blood as well. “Stardust,” made famous by clarinetist Benny Goodman and The Glenn Miller Orchestra in the ‘40s, was sweetly rendered by one of the younger members of the orchestra, Grant Langdon, on alto saxophone. Mr Langdon has been touring with the orchestra for just one year.

Having fun on the drums at Tuesday night’s concert was featured musician, drummer Butch Miles. Mr Miles, an orchestra regular since 1975, pounded out the rhythm in every song with obvious enjoyment. His enthusiasm spread through the orchestra and reached out into the audience. “The Hawk,” on which Mr Miles soloed, created an atmosphere of excitement in the crowd. Mr Miles taunted the audience with drum taps that whispered, then rose to a rousing pitch before finishing with a flourish that left the crowd cheering.

“Discomotion,” an older piece from the orchestra’s vast repertoire of music, featured spectacular playing from the trumpet section. Mike Williams on trumpet had a short but highly impressive solo, when his ultra-high pitched notes pierced the air. Before the last squeal died away, the hall echoed with applause from an delighted audience.

The orchestra settled down into a quieter, jazzy mode when vocalist Melba Joyce joined them. Ms Joyce’s rich voice melted into the mellow tones of the orchestra, lighting up the stage with lively vocals and calming the audience with soothing melodies. The audience was treated to a particularly fine rendition of the classic jazz piece “Body and Soul,” as performed by Ms Joyce and the orchestra.

The evening finished up with none other than the standard Basie number, “Jumpin’ At The Woodside,” and a standing ovation from a highly appreciative audience.