OXFORD, Miss.- With its reputation as the swingingest band
in all the land, the Count Basie Orchestra brings its
unique style to the Gertrude C. Ford Center for the
Performing Arts Friday (Oct. 19).
The 8 p.m. concert kicks off the popular Ford Series at the
University of Mississippi. Tickets are $35, $32 and $29 for
various seating and available by calling the UM Box Office
at 662-915-7411 or by visiting the box office in the Ole
Miss Student Union.
The re-emerging popularity of swing music in America was
just one factor that prompted inviting the world-renowned
orchestra to Oxford, said Norm Easterbrook, Ford Center
director.
“Another factor was the ensemble itself,” Easterbrook said.
“With back-to-back Grammy awards in 1997 and 1998, the
Count Basie Orchestra is American musical heritage at its
best. We’re inviting everyone to come and experience
arguably the best of classic big-band form.”
The Basie band, directed during the last four years by
Grover Mitchell, a band leader with deep roots in orchestra
history and a long association with its founder, is one of
the most popular and successful big bands in history. With
17 Grammy awards to date, the 19-member orchestra has grown
up with the Kansas City swing style of Count Basie and
added their own voices to create an unique sound.
Today, the Basie band is bringing generations of fans
together. Young audiences who’ve heard their favorite
neo-band play “One O’clock Jump” sit or dance side-by-side
with veteran fans who’ve spent a lifetime cherishing
Basie’s 1937 recording of the same tune. This
multi-generational appeal is what sets the Basie band apart
from the current crop of swing bands, Easterbrook said.
“Swing music is not a fad, especially not with the Basie
Orchestra at the helm,” he said. “They remain true to the
Basie way. The orchestra celebrates the big-band experience
through the completely original and identifiable Count
Basie repertoire.”
For a complete list of Ford Series live performances, visit
http://www.olemiss.edu/fordcenter/.
For assistance related to a disability, call 662-915-7411.