On the face of it, pianist
Oscar Peterson (whose virtuosity always allowed him to play an infinite amount of notes) and
Count Basie (who made inventive use of silence and space by emphasizing single rhythmic sounds) would seem to have had little in common. However they both swing, and there was a definite overlapping in their repertoire.
Peterson's
Basie tribute is a near-masterpiece. With guitarist
Herb Ellis, bassist
Ray Brown, and guest drummer
Buddy Rich all playing quite sympathetically,
Peterson's arrangements make the nine
Basie-associated songs (along with
Peterson's original "Blues for Basie") all sound quite fresh and lightly swinging. Quite a few of these renditions (particularly "Easy Does It," "9:20 Special," "Broadway," and "One O'Clock Jump") are instantly memorable. ~ Scott Yanow