You haven't lived until you've felt the full acoustic blast of a big band...

i am still here........3 years later...lol just turned 79 ......

...the level of musicianship is astounding compared to music today...

Everyone's so humble in this performance. Arrogance is so commonplace in music today - which is ironic seeing that they don't have half the talent Count Basie & Co. possessed.

*Solos:* *All of Me (**0:00**)* Piano: Count Basie (0:00, 1:35, 1:59) *Flight of the Foo Birds (**3:00**)* Piano: Count Basie (3:07) Alto Sax: Bobby Plater (4:04) Trumpet: Al Aarons (4:20) Tenor Sax: Eric Dixon (4:39, 4:55) *The Midnight Sun Never Sets (**6:05**)* Alto Sax: Marshall Royal (6:20) *Blues for Eileen (**9:28**)* Piano: Count Basie (9:38, 13:11, 14:28) Trumpet: Al Aarons (10:46) Flute: Eric Dixon (12:09) *Jumpin' at the Woodside (**14:58**)* Trumpet: Thad Jones (15:17) Tenor Sax: Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis (15:28) *I Needs to be Beed With (**18:44**)* Piano: Count Basie (18:52, 21:51) Trombone: Al Grey (22:19) *April in Paris (**24:34**, **27:05**)* Bass Trombone: Bill Hughes (25:16) Trumpet: Thad Jones (25:46) *Little Darlin' (**27:59**)* Piano: Count Basie (27:59) Guitar: Freddie Green (28:12) Trumpet: Sonny Cohn (29:40) *Whirly Bird (**32:00**)* Piano: Count Basie (32:22) Tenor Sax: Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis (33:11) Drums: Rufus "Speedy" Jones (35:16, 35:41, 38:25, 39:20) *One O'Clock Jump (**40:15**)* Piano: Count Basie (40:15) Bari Sax: Charlie Fowlkes (43:07) *Members that Didn't Solo:* Wallace Davenport (Lead Trumpet) Grover Mitchell (Trombone) Henderson Chambers (Trombone) Norman Keenan (Bass)

Shout out to the audio engineers of the era. This mix is crazy good.

It is worth the price of a computer just to see this amazing concert.Many thanks for posting it.

1. ALL OF ME ( 00:00 ) 2. FLIGHT OF THE FOO BIRDS ( 3:00 ) 3. THE MIDNIGHT SUN NEVER SETS ( 6:00 ) 4. BLUES FOR EILEEN ( 9:30 ) 5. JUMPIN' AT THE WOODSIDE ( 14:58 ) 6. I NEEDS TO BE BEED WITH ( 18:50 ) 7. APRIL IN PARIS ( 24:33 ) 8. LITTLE DARLIN' ( 27:59 ) 9. WHIRLY BIRD ( 32:08 ) 10. ONE O'CLOCK JUMP ( 40:15 ) + CLOSING COMMENT BY BASIE

Arguably the best swingin' big band that ever existed . And most definitely the MOST relaxed !

All of me Flight of the foo birds The midnight sun will never set Blues for Ilean Jumpin' at the Woodside I needs to be beed with April in Paris Whirly-bird Li'l darlin' One o'clock jump Direction, piano: Count Basie Saxophones: Marshall Royal, Bobby Plater, Eric Dixon, Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis, Charlie Fowlkes Trompettes: Sonny Cohn, Al Aarons, Wallace Davenport, Phil Guilbeau Trombones: Al Grey, Henderson Chambers, Grover Mitchell, Bill Hughes Guitare: Freddie Green Basse: Norman Keenan Batterie: Rufus Jones

In the mid 60s I was a single young London police officer living in Trevor Bingham Section House in Tooting South London.I played Basie's Kansas City Suite & Atomic Basie albums in my bedroom a million times. After some 5 years I moved on, but every officer that also lived there certainly knew who Count Basie was when I left.

They had "swagger". They were confident. Frank Wess told me they played about 300 dates a year, and that the band I was in would never be able to come close to playing this way, that it came from the organic experience of doing it all the time, getting paid, high level, practice but most importantly performance, and he said after playing together every day like that they all knew each other, the sounds, the notes and their lives. This period of JAZZ MUSIC WILL NEVER HAPPEN AGAIN. When you watch Lockjaw you see SWAGGER and the look that says, I know I'm bad. But not arrogance, because at this time Sonny Stitt, or Johnny Griffin, or Rollins or Miles or Trane or anyone might show up, so there was no need for arrogance. and Making a little money helps. Bill Hughes told me they were stars! That is the other difference CONFIDENCE, you don't learn that in college either. And Mr. Basie ran a tight ship, stage presence, business, no drinking on stage, no talking etc. Classic African -American disciplined Jazz.

Internet and KZfaq an incredible invention. All music available wherever we go. An iPhone, iPad et cetera and a good headset. Wow...!! In addition, the best jazz music ever made. Thank you Mr Basie and other guys.

The Count is gone, Duke is gone, Cab is gone, Ella is gone, Benny is gone, Glenn is gone. I doubt we will see music like this again.

I was 10 yrs old when my parents took me to see the Count. I'm 79 now and i'm still blown. Away!!! 3:21 3:31

I have gone to countless shows ranging from Merle Haggard, to Black Sabbath, to Alice Cooper, SuperTramp, Woody Herman, Buddy Rich, Ella Fitzgerald but I'm tellin' ya, Basie was the best.

The most powerful band in the history of Jazz!

Thanks to the BBC for recording this incredible concert. Count, you are still with us and will be forever.

It's December of 2016 , but my Dad passed away in 1996 at age 77 and I remember listening to Basie with him in the 1950's when I was 8 or 9 years old. Yes , tears. So good.

These people just talk with their instruments. Brings you to tears

I forgot to mention the perfect camera work and the best group of soloists and ensemble players ever assembled.

Count Basie and his Orchestra:- Sonny Cohn, Al Aarons, Wallace Davenport, Phil Guilbeau, trumpet; Al Grey, Henderson Chambers, Grover Mitchell, trombone; Bill Hughes, bass trombone; Marshall Royal, Bobby Plater, Eric Dixon, reeds; Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis, tenor sax; Charlie Fowlkes, baritone sax; Count Basie, piano; Freddie Green, guitar; Norman Keenan, acoustic double bass; Rufus Jones, drums.

Eddie Lockjaw Davis blows ! One of best One O'clock Jump I ever herd.

The Count is the Zen Master of piano playing...less is more.

And that, Ladies and Gentlemen, was THE masterclass in big band swing. The quality of this band was rarely- if ever- eclipsed and will never come again.

I grew up when Count Basie was still a fixture in Kansas City. I loved his music then and now.

Rufus "Speedy" Jones is one hell of a drummer. The thunderous applause he received at the end of his drum solo was well deserved!

Saw Basie the first time in 1958 and many, many times till he left us. I got friendly with some of the musicians. I ask what did Basie do to have them ALWAYS play at perfection level? It was the musicians who would demand dicipline between themselves I was told. One of the moments of life: picking advocados in Marshall Royal's garden!!

You have got to love this Band

My God its so clean... I have never and certainly will never hear a band quite like this.

Man, can Basie swing or what?! This is fine jazz.

How did I get to be 63 without experiencing Count Basie and his orchestra? I feel like I stumbled into an ocean of deep, deep musicianship. There is no weak link. Every player a virtuoso in his own right. I wanted to applaud. I wanted to stand and cheer with the audience. i never heard a trombone sound that way. Eddie Lockjaw Davies on saxophone just changed my life. Thank you yurinickolaevich.

The Basie band was always a thrill, and this performance recorded by the BBC is no exception. BBC contributes a beautiful set, first rate sound balance and camera work. Better yet, they stay completely out of the way and let Basie do his thing. And the capper -- the BBC clearly had arranged for the band to do a complete run-through of the show, not for the band, but as a rehearsal for the TV sound and video crew to get the live sound mix right and have cameras in all the right places that made great musical sense! Five stars for everyone on this one, and especially to BBC4 for treating this band like the royalty it was!

My God! What "Earthy Driving Creativity by Eddie "Lockjaw Davis" Unsurpassed!

Wow! Marshal Royal and "Lockjaw" Davis.....fantastic!

You can hear how Monk was so influenced by this musical giant!

What an amazing drummer, I wish I was that good at drums, but I'm still young (10) years old

Exiting listening to this now 50 years later! And sustainable!

Isn't it wonderful that KZfaq can give us this ............. incredible.

Those cats sure could swing!

Greatest Big Band ever. The swing, the pulse, the feel of this music is not found anywhere else. The best group of soloists and ensemble players ever assembled.

Count Basie and his Orchestra played the Covered Wagon Inn on the Philadelphia Main Line. After one of the shows, my dad entertained the Count and some of the band members at our house. "Pennies from Heaven" reminded me that hearing Basie arrangements was a reward well worth the wait. Thanks for the KZfaq contribution.

Can you imagine if the KKK and all of those ignorant racist people in the Southern US had succeeded - we would not have these great artists and great music the paved the way for Rock, Soul, Rap all that we have today. God Bless these talented musicians that just knew they had to get their music out there.

You had to be there! Poor youngsters will never know such powerful music!

You wish some people could live forever, The Count is one of them, so lucky to have so much still available of this lovely man. KZfaq at it's best.

In hundert Jahren wird man diese Band noch hören...einfach Super. Das ist "Jazz " pur.

the dynamics alone....classy classy classy

Am now 80 still here..me and keef............no music like this today..

The Count always had a great sounding band. I never tire of it after all these years of my life. I love his laid back way of playing the piano and his wonderful sense of humor! SYLVIA - FL - 10-03-2018.

Was lucky enough to meet, interview, and do a special TV (WOKR TV 13) feature story on Bill Basie when he and his big band played the TOP OF THE PLAZA in Rochester NY way back in the day (circa 1969). What a blast, what a musician, and what a great guy he was to me too. Will never forget it, I was 30 years old, in love with this music, and he gave me the thrill of a lifetime. Thank you, Count Basie!

I see many old friends on the band! Jaws, AA, so many. This is great!

THE best band ever. I met the count , his wife and band members back stage. Such a gracious man. I got his autograph and the band members. That drummer 🥁!! Basie n Sinatra. The best talents ever.

fantastic. the definition of jazz

What a PHENOMENAL performance conjured out of the universe!... Wowzie! The Count and orchestra have good reason to forever smile.

How could ANYONE give this a thumbs down? Oh my goodness, that biting brass, that walking bass, that blue beat of the best big band that ever was!!! I dig them all, from Ted Heath to Ellington to Goodman, Shaw, Miller, Lunceford, Quincy, Herman, James... but for my money, Count is tops.

What a band. And Basie is the master of getting the most swing out of as few notes as possible on the piano. He owns this sound.

The Basie Band has been my favorite music since I first heard them in 1984.

Just amazing music. I think Count Basie was the greatest of them all!!!

The greatest band of all time. Always laid back with power.

Doesn't get much better than this. Thanks.

What a Classy Guy.

Count Basie was not just a grate musician but a grate human being. We lived next door to him for 8 years and were very good friends with "Uncle Bill". I often would walk with him on his daly stroll round the block, he even offered to come to Bristol in England and invite my school to come and see him, unfortunately British Airways had a strike that year and he had to cancel.

Wow, pure explosive jazz. A really disciplined and perfectly conducted band under the greatest maestro. Thanks for posting this video.

Great heavenly performance. Just to think in the America of 1965 not one of these fine men could stay at the best hotels nor dine at the finest restaurants downtown within the cities in which they played in. For that reason, many Jazz artists fell in love with Europe because they were treated like men. Like men.....

they are awesomes!!! i'ts a beautiful jazz!

I had the great pleasure of meeting this great man … my boyfriends father the late great Preston Love played second seat alto sax in Count Basies Band I saw him in concert In Omaha at the Orpheum in 1980 … what a show

playing together and each a class of his own _ great artistry shown Here!

Who could possibly give this a thumbs down????? Basie's Orchestra was one of the best if not the best. AWESOME

Magnificent performance -Incredible tight band . Eddie "Lock-Jaw" Davis is super ! Al Grey was fantastic !

"April in Paris" Basie Orchestra scene in "Blazing Saddles" was the best scene in that brilliant Mel Brooks Movie

Count Basie represents a generation of our parents and more likely grandparents. For many of the younger generations have never experienced the musical power of the Big Bands- Jazz Swing era. Here we have Count Basie and his orchestra performing in London in 1965. He even has his sax man playing an early Quincy Jones piece. This is really worth your while to check out the Count and all of his cool cats!

Incredible.....Basie was the master.....I was 7 when this was recorded! Fantastic big band......I'm also a big Rob McConnell fan too......

This gig was apparently shortly after drummer Sonny Payne left the band, and Fred Basie announces Whirly Bird features his "new drummer". IMHO, the 1960's were the Basie bands best years. The book from the earlier part of the decade is still present, as are many of the players. However, the feel of the band has changed with the move to Mr. Jones. The loss of Sonny's presence on the bandstand and his sparkling personality behind the drum kit signaled a major change in Basie's rhythm section that would be followed by others into the 1970's/1980's. Thanks for posting this significant performance!

Count Basie. Indeed. Such a pleasure...

January 24, 2023, Canberra . Superlative; brought tears to my eyes. So glad I caught the band in Singapore in the mid-Seventies.

The applause and his soft, peaceful voice are just as good as the music!

yurinickolaevich► Love you for posting this‼️ What a rare & great find‼️ In your debt. Basie is my all time favorite big band jazz man. Sam

Insanely good. What a privilege it would have been to have witnessed this live.

At their absolute peak, this mid 1960's Basie band is probably the best big band the world has ever known. This 1965 concert is stunning to the point where it can be said that its one of their greatest ever concerts. I was lucky to see them once in Melbourne, Australia. I now listen to them every day

awesome Count Basie band!!

I live on the memories and friendships and great music of Basie and his band. Every time I hear the band with Basie!

I was able to catch Count Basie & his band several times in LA & twice in Supper Clubs & still recall My extended Gooseflesh moments as if it were last night!.....

I'm glad that my eclectic music taste has lead me to this amazing artist. I didn't start listening to jazz until I was in college and I will never look back (except to reminisce on the good memories haha) Definitely good music to listen to while you're smoking on a cigar and sipping on some good scotch, bourbon, cognac, and rum. 😎

This is probably one of the best videos and/or concerts ever!

An absolutely sublime performance by this orchestra--every musician in this band had ungodly talent!! Holy smokes just to have been a PART of this band would've meant that you'd rank among the best jazz musicians in the WORLD!! (And I still rank Sonny Payne as Count's greatest drummer but the more I watch this the more Speedy Jones closes the gap on him!!)

i'm glad we have to watch this in music class, the music is wonderful

These beautiful virtuosi make it look easy. Incredible!

What a treat to hear this great music.

freddie green on guitar is killin!! interesting anecdote freddie tried to use an amp and he could solo very well but members missed his most outstanding solid rhythm and literally sabotaged the amp every time so he gave up on the idea!

I'll never tire of them, no Sir !!!!

Great post thanks, I was looking for Q... Quincy Jones who was collaborating with the Count around this time. His arrangement of Fly Me To The Moon (for Count Basie and Frank Sinatra) took them all three to new heights. My dad played me this music in the house (in England) as a young boy and I was blessed. His favourites included Sarah Vaughn, Billy Eckstine, Ella Fitzgerald and Oscar Peterson and he moved heaven and earth to see them when they came to Europe. Still fills me with joy to listen to them now in my 60's

Omg, my uncle played with the count, almost 50yrs, love this. Johnny Williams is the truth on the sax.

I have an immense respect for drummers in general, but that drum solo near the end left me with an even greater respect for Rufus Jones

Elegance, sophistication, beauty. Perfection.

I asked a friend if he knows some jazz. He gave me this and i love it.

Perfect Music To Study To. Heard about Count Basie on a movie on netflix "When We First Met"

Here I am again listening to this beautiful music. I really like the gentleman who played his trombone with the "hat". Can't you hear that horn "talking"? How does he do that? And, again I am standing up for "Speedy". After I watched this I looked up "Speedy" and he died young. He had 22 years lost with his son who had been in jail on a "trumped up" charge of murder. Lord have mercy. SYLVIA - FL - 10-04-2018

One of the great Count Basie Shows, demonstrating the energy and power that Basie generates. I saw him 'live' in Sheffield in 1974 and have followed jazz and swing music ever since....

Merci à tous ces musiciens.j espère qu'il y a un paradis pour eux .car ils me procurent de la joie

Rock 'n Roll owes everything to the Count Basie Orchestra- and Louis Prima and Keely Smith, IMHO... OK, Louis Jordan too? :)