The Count Basie Orchestra is considered one of the most important jazz orchestras in the world. The pianist and conductor William James "Count" Basie (1904–1984) founded the ensemble that bears his name in 1935. Since 2013, the Count Basie Orchestra has been conducted by trumpeter Scotty Barnhart. The Count Basie Orchestra is one of the few, if not the only, jazz and swing orchestra that is still touring the world 30 years after the death of its original conductor. At the same time, the orchestra continues to receive major awards around the world. In 2018, for example, it was voted the best jazz orchestra in the world by the readers of Downbeat magazine. That same year, the orchestra received a Grammy nomination for "All About That Basie," starring Stevie Wonder, Jon Faddis, Take 6, and Kurt Elling. The album "A Very Swingin' Basie Christmas" from 2015 reached number one on the worldwide jazz charts, in 2020 the orchestra celebrated its 85th anniversary.
Trumpets: Frank Greene-lead Shawn Edmonds-2nd Endre Rice-3rd Brandon Lee-4th Trombones: Isrea Butler-lead *Clarence Banks-2nd Mark Williams-3rd Alvin Walker-4th Saxophones: David Glasser-lead alto Markus Howell-2nd alto Doug Lawrence-1st tenor Doug Miller-2nd tenor Josh Lee-baritone sax Rhythm Section: Glen Pearson-piano Will Matthews-guitar Trevor Ware-bass Robert Boone-drums Vocals: *Carmen Bradford (Frequent Guest Vocalist) *Hired by and worked with Count Basie
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