“All 18 players share a common goal: to ensure that the music swings like crazy. And swing it does – with extraordinary precision.”—Sydney Morning Herald
Along with the orchestra he formed in 1935, William James “Count” Basie re-wrote the history of jazz with 18 Grammy Awards, appearances for kings and queens, and performances for every TV show, festival, and on every major stage in the world. Vocal phenom Ella Fitzgerald shared that history, with countless performances and multiple recordings, including their 1963 album Ella and Basie!, an album that many rank among the most important ever made. One of today’s most accomplished Jazz vocalists, Lizz Wright steps into the shoes of “The First Lady of Song.”
This performance is sponsored by Judd and Linda Swarzman
STORY: Play It With Count Basie, and Branford Marsalis, at The Soraya
The timeless swing of the Count Basie Orchestra, the pure vocals of Lizz Wright, and the vibrant interplay of the Branford Marsalis Quartet represent three of the most important musical dialects in today’s national jazz conversation. With these quality offerings in the new fall season (Branford Marsalis Quartet on Thursday, October 28, and the Basie Band’s “Music of Ella Fitzgerald” featuring Lizz Wright on Wednesday, Nov. 17), The Soraya puts its chips on jazz, and lets it ride.