For more than eighty years Count Basie has been synonymous for bouncy swing, crisp and razor-sharp brass sets, absolute relaxedness at greatest possible precision. The Count is no longer alive, but his spirit still floats over the band, looks over the musicians’ shoulders. And when Diane Schuur, the great singer, joined the big band with her trio after their opening performance, it was easy to imagine him smilingly bobbing on the other side. It was a relaxed evening for fans of stylish jazz.

Beat Blaser