"The Atomic Mr. Basie": A Gem From Jazz Legend Count Basie
A 1958 masterpiece featuring the arrangements of Neal Hefti with the Count Basie Orchestra
The Atomic Mr. Basie
by Count Basie
Label: Roulette
Recorded: 21–22 October 1957
Released: January 1958
★★★★★
The Atomic Mr. Basie is an explosive masterpiece, revitalizing Count Basie’s career in the late 1950s. Neal Hefti’s dynamic arrangements, coupled with Basie’s tight-knit ensemble, deliver some of the most iconic big band sounds ever recorded. The album kicks off with “The Kid from Red Bank,” immediately setting an electrifying tone.
Basie’s signature minimalist piano style, paired with Freddie Green’s steady rhythm guitar, anchors the band’s punchy brass and swinging rhythms. Standout tracks like “Whirly-Bird” and “Splanky” showcase tight riffs and brilliant solos, particularly from tenor saxophonists Frank Foster and Eddie “Lockjaw” Davis.
A timeless classic, The Atomic Mr. Basie blends sophistication with powerful swing, confirming Basie’s enduring influence on Jazz.
Personnel
Wendell Culley • trumpet
Snooky Young • trumpet
Thad Jones • trumpet
Joe Newman • trumpet
Henry Coker • trombone
Al Grey • trombone
Benny Powell • trombone
Marshal Royal • reeds
Frank Wess • reeds
Eddie “Lockjaw” Davis • reeds
Frank Foster • reeds
Charles Fowlkes • reeds
Count Basie • piano
Eddie Jones • bass
Freddie Green • guitar
Sonny Payne • drums
Joe Williams • vocals
Neal Hefti • arrangements
Jimmy Mundy • arrangements