“Big Band” Basie Style

How does the struggle for Civil Rights in America impact your life?

“Music has the power to break barriers, uplift communities, and inspire change.”(Count Basie)

I’ve noticed lately a distinct change lately in the concerts I’ve attended. The crowds predictably are older and the set lists are longer for sure as bands usually play their entire repertoire of compositions popularized during my teen and college years era. To further lengthen these concerts, I’m observing the artist typically takes time to reflect about personal events that impacted their musical careers.

Accordingly, I witnessed last week on our recent mini road trip the addition of a storytelling nostalgia component to go along with the celebrated return of the great Count Basie “Big Band” in St. Petersburg, Florida. Know then that a major highlight of this Black History event at a local college happened to be a pre-concert panel discussion of local cultural leaders discussing the historic relevance of that Monday evening concert.

In this regard, the legendary jazz orchestra last performed in this city over sixty three years ago. While Basie often seemed uninterested in showcasing his own star status, his band’s historic appearance that day must also be placed in the context of their united “stand” against such inferior racial treatment they often faced on the road at that time period. Click on the following video to obtain greater knowledge of the late Count Basie the person and performer.
https://youtu.be/_j_ne0FTRcI?si=MEv6l6tVVkpZO8v2

How inspiring to realize then that Count Basie’s music represents an African American equality success story. For his “Big Band” carries on into its ninetieth year of world wide tour play amid escalating white supremacist dangers in America today. Looking back then at my own past as a former rock and jazz musician, I also exhibited strong energy to perform competently on my trombone, hoping to potentially help change the world for the better. Listening to my music today, I still feel this way today! Enjoy the photos.