PERHAPS a touring schedule which saw them in Newcastle Thursday, Perth Friday, Adelaide Saturday then Canberra Sunday contributed to them looking a bit weary but members of the Count Basie Orchestra seemed somewhat mechanical in their on stage presentation and often didn’t display obvious enjoyment in their music making.

That was a shame because the music making was magnificent. Displaying those very Basie renowned qualities of amazing dynamic contrast and control coupled with perfect balance in their tight, exciting sound, this was a great concert for lovers of big band music.

Pianist and bandleader Count Basie died some 30 years ago but what testimony to his influence that his band (some members have been in the group for 31 years) continues to tour the world performing sold out concerts as it has done since 1935. From the opening ‘hits’ of Hey Jim to the ‘I Ain’t Got Nothin’ But the Blues’ finale tribute to the recently passed BB King, it was impossible not to bop heads, tap feet or mimic drumming with hands as the band swung through a lengthy set list of classics.

There were Basie’s own tunes ‘Basie Land’ and ‘Moten Swing’ plus a devilishly fast Basie Power along with Ellington’s subtle ‘In a Mellow Tone’ and a beautifully controlled ‘In the Wee Small Hours of the Morning’.

Frank Sinatra started out with the Basie Band so it was a nice touch to include an excellent band only version of’ Come Fly With Me’.

Vocals were not neglected however! Carmen Bradford started singing with the band when just 22. Now freely admitting to being 55 she is undertaking this 80th anniversary tour as the guest vocalist and what a voice she has! Her big tone with its huge range boomed through great versions of ‘Honeysuckle Rose’, ‘Right to Sing the Blues’ and ‘I Love Being Here With You’. Pretty well every member of the band performed a solo and all were of well-constructed and inventive high quality.

Whilst the sax, trumpet and trombone sections were wonderfully tight and balanced the rhythm group was outstanding. I missed his name as Scotty Barnhart, current bandleader and concert MC, had an annoying trait of attempting to announce his player and song introductions over the enthusiastic applause, but the combination the terrific drummer had with pianist Bobby Floyd and bass player James Leary was superb.

Despite the seeming ‘going through the paces’ audience disconnect, this was big band music of the highest possible quality – the Count Basie Orchestra is the real deal!