The New Orleans band The Soul Rebels have joined up with some fellow musicians to bring the music of big band and jazz master Count Basie to new audiences with the April 7 release of “Late Night Basie”.

The first release the upcoming album is the Count Basie take on the Sonny Rollins classic “St. Thomas”.

It has been over 50 years since Basie released his version of “St. Thomas” where Count Basie mashed up his big band piano with the sounds of the Caribbean.

The Soul Rebels have joined up with trumpet player Nicholas Payton, Cimafunk from Cuba, and djembe master Weedie Braimah for “St Thomas”.

The Soul Rebels co-founder and drummer Lumar LeBlanc noted, “the music and spirit of Count Basie has extraordinarily influenced how today’s contemporary and progressive ensembles with horns and brass arrange music.  Basie’s musical, artistic, and cultural impact is deep and powerful, and we’re grateful to participate in this special project.”

Cimafunk added, “we’re blessed to have trailblazers like Count, who used his art to make people feel good.  He had an incredible ability to get everyone to smile and move their bodies. I always try and bring some of Count’s elegance, groove, and swag to the stage with me, and it’s a real privilege to be part of this project to celebrate his life and legacy…and keep folks smiling and dancing to his music!”

A compilation album, “Late Night Basie” includes Terence Blanchard, Talib Skwli, The Count Basie Orchestra directed by Scotty Barhart, Larkin Poe, Lettuce, Jazzmeia Horn, Ray Angry, Will Lee & Shawn Pelton, and Jimmy Vivino.

Partner & President of Digital Strategy for Primary Wave Music Rob Dippold spoke on putting “Late Night Basie” together saying, “putting together this tribute album to Count Basie has been a labor of love over the last several years.  As we strive to continuously develop fresh and tasteful approaches to celebrate (and create new IP) for our iconic song catalogs, this release will introduce Count Basie to new generations of music lovers while respecting his existing fanbase.”

The tracklisting for “Late Night Basie”:
“Didn’t You”
“One O’Clock Jump”
“Blue & Sentimental”
“M-Squad”
“Jumpin’ at the Woodside”
“St. Thomas”
a bonus track of “One O’Clock Jump”

Feature photo credit: courtesy of IVPR Media