Jay Branford News

 Birdland is 63, The Legendary Count Basie Orchestra is 80, and  Frank Sinatra is 100.  Gianni Valenti, Birdland owner announced the orchestra and the swinging engine of the Basie Band blasted off with "Come Fly With Me" at the "Jazz Corner of the World" last night. Regardless of how good the fidelity is on your Beats Headphones and McIntosh Amplifier, it doesn't come close to the sound being heard on 44th Street. The original charts might have some wear and tear from page turning by Basie musicians over the years, but the music was clear, precise, and  exciting as when the band made their home at Birdland in the 1950's. Scotty Barnhart is now the Director of The Count Basie Orchestra which has won 18 Grammy Awards and 20 Downbeat and Jazz Times polls. He follows in a long line of Jazz greats that have led the orchestra since Basie's passing in 1984. Thad Jones, Frank Foster, Brover Mitchell, Bill Hughes, and Dennis Mackrel have been prior directors.  Scotty pointed out that the band might have been formed in 1935, but they are very current and are on Facebook, and have a great website. Carmen Bradford, a Basie choice supplied the vocals. 

William 'Count' Basie started The Count Basie Orchestra in 1935, in Kansas City, Missouri. Within a year, America was listening in on popular radio shows throughout the country to hear what would become 'The greatest swing band in all the land!' A phenomenon was born in 1935 that is still going strong today! Harris Center for the Arts is proud to present this legendary orchestra.

William 'Count' Basie started The Count Basie Orchestra in 1935, in Kansas City, Missouri. Within a year, America was listening in on popular radio shows throughout the country to hear what would become 'The greatest swing band in all the land!' A phenomenon was born in 1935 that is still going strong today! Harris Center for the Arts is proud to present this legendary orchestra.

Ain't Misbehavin' at White Plains Performing Arts Center, a brand new production of the 1978 Tony Award-winning Best Musical, officially opened Friday, February 29, 2008 with performances through through March 16, 2008.