Bryan Kidd: Back Bay Breeze

Count Basie's arrangers would often take a minimalist approach to their writing. The essential elements were a riff-based melody and a shout chorus interspersed with creative soloists. Back Bay Breeze makes use of that formula in an easygoing, happily swinging way. A shout chorus with a Basie-style tag makes the perfect ending to this gem from Bryan Kidd, former chief arranger with the D.C. Navy Band.