Count Basie - April in Paris (1956)

One of the staples in the Count Basie discography, April in Paris is one of those rare albums that makes its mark as an almost instant classic in the jazz pantheon. April in Paris represents the reassembly of the original Count Basie orchestra that define swing in the 1930s and 1940s. The title track has come to define elegance in orchestral jazz. Though only ten tracks in its original release, seven alternate takes have now been incorporated into Verve's re-release of the original session tapes. Other key tracks include "Corner Pocket" and "Magic," both of which are also featured in the alternate takes. Recorded in 1955 and 1956, April in Paris proved Count Basie's ability to grow through modern jazz changes while keeping the traditional jazz orchestra vital and alive.

Tracklist:

01 April in Paris Duke, Harburg
02 Corner Pocket Green
03 Didn't You? Foster III
04 Sweetie Cakes Wilkins
05 Magic Wess
06 Shiny Stockings Foster
07 What Am I Here For? Ellington, Laine
08 Midgets Newman
09 Mambo Inn Bauza, Sampson, Sampson, Woodlen
10Dinner with Friends Hefti
11 April in Paris Duke, Harburg
12 Corner Pocket Green
13 Didn't You? Foster III
14 Magic Wess
15 Magic Wess
16 What Am I Here For? Ellington, Laine
17 Midgets Newman