[Dixielandjazz] Grover Mitchell and the Count Basie Orchestra - areview

[Richard Broadie]

Wow! another goof by me.  The Basie Band was directed by Bill Hughes - not
Grover Mitchell.  It would have been interesting to hear a ghost band lead
by a real live ghost.  Thanks for calling this to my attention.  Dick
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Jim Beebe" <jbeebe at centurytel.net>
To: "Richard Broadie" <richard.broadie at gte.net>
Sent: Tuesday, October 21, 2003 12:09 PM
Subject: Re: [Dixielandjazz] Grover Mitchell and the Count Basie Orchestra -
areview


> Dick>  I don't undestand.  Was the ghost of Grover Mitchell directing the
> Basie ghost band?
> Gover Mitchell died a month or  two ago.  His obit was posted and I wrote
a
> piece on him. did you miss those?
>
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Richard Broadie" <richard.broadie at gte.net>
> Sent: Tuesday, October 21, 2003 11:12 AM
> Subject: [Dixielandjazz] Grover Mitchell and the Count Basie Orchestra -
> areview
>
>
> > Palm Springs, CA October 21, 2003
> >
> > Last night I got a true lesson in humility.  I perform on a regular
basis
> > with two big bands (piano on one, bass with the other).   In addition to
> > that, I imitate a big band as a single using a digital synth.  Last Sat.
> PM
> > I was interviewed on a jazz program on KWXY, a local station, where some
> of
> > my CDs were played.  My host, Scott Ellsworth, commented that, in many
> > instances, I sounded like a one man Count Basie orchestra.  I did not
> > disagree but should have. I don't even get close!
> >
> > Last night the city of Palm Springs, Ca was graced by a brilliant
> > performance by the ghost band of Count Basie as directed by Grover
> Mitchell
> > out of NYC featuring Butch Miles on drums and old friend Jackie Kelso on
> > alto.   Every single member of that band took world class jazz choruses
> and
> > demonstrated outstanding musianship.  The band, as a unit sounded as
tight
> > and swinging as anything I've heard since I dug the original Basie band
> many
> > many years ago.  I'm not certain where I stand as a musician this
morning.
> > Guess my reaction is to either practice my axes a lot harder and try to
> > strive for that  level of musicianship or to give all my instruments to
> the
> > local school system where a very talented kid or two could possibly
> develop
> > into this "monster class" of player.
> >
> > I was talking to three of the musicians after the gig and asked "How
long
> > has this band been together?"  They grinned and in unison said, "Oh
since
> > about 1935."   I said "Since the Benny Moten days?"   They nodded their
> > heads in agreement.  They said this band is the same one that continued
on
> > ever since Basie's death and has never stopped performing as a unit.
Most
> > of the players in the band were rather advanced in years which
contributed
> > to the seasoned and extremely well honed Performance.  While I doubt if
> many
> > of the personnel actually performed with Basie, I have no doubt that
most
> of
> > them knew Basie and, like me, heard him many times while he was still
> alive.
> > In other words, this band wasn't simply packed with some talented kids
> > reading charts.  I've listened to many ghost bands in recent years but
> none
> > that sounded this close to the "truth!"  This music was the real thing!
> It
> > was the "truth!"
> >
> > If the Count Basie Orchestra directed by Grover Mitchell comes to your
> town,
> > I strongly recommend you attend.  Through this unit Count Basie truly
> > continues to live.
> >
> > By the way, if you're interested in booking this band or getting more
> > information, drop an email to Dee Askew at abasiedaskew at aol.com .
> >
> >
> > Dick Broadie
> >
> >
>
>
>