One O’Clock Jump – 1984
Buddy Rich Orchestra
Rich and his big band pay tribute to Count Basie
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“One O’Clock Jump” was originally a head arrangement on a medium-tempo blues that Count Basie copyrighted; it was probably partly written by altoist Buster Smith.
After its debut 1937 recording, “One O’Clock Jump” was adopted by many swing era bands including Benny Goodman and Harry James; the latter called his version “Two O’Clock Jump.”
For a time every big band played it and it has remained a swing standard ever since.
Buddy Rich loved the Basie band and enjoyed his occasional chances to sit in with the orchestra.
Shortly after Count Basie’s death in 1984, Rich had pianist Bill Cunliffe write an arrangement of Count Basie’s theme for his big band and performed it in tribute to Basie.
This swinging rendition features tenor-saxophonist Steve Marcus, trombonist Mike Davis, and both Simon Gardener and Tony Gorruson on trumpets in addition to pianist Cunliffe while Rich drives the band with his seemingly effortless virtuosity.
-Scott Yanow
