Kenny Barron, Mitch Towne, Zhengtao Pan and The Count Basie Orchestra

Kicking off the 901st episode of Neon Jazz, we ride in with the legendary sounds of the world-famous Count Basie Orchestra. As Kansas City gears up for the grand 90th Celebration of Count Basie at The Music Hall on April 30, 2025, we shine a spotlight on band director Scotty Barnhart and the powerhouse ensemble keeping Basie's spirit alive. We journey to the stars—literally—as we revisit the iconic tune Fly Me to the Moon, famously delivered by Count Basie and Frank Sinatra, and played on the moon back in 1964. From there, it's all about the groove. We serve up fresh cuts from rising talents like James Zito, Mark Scott III, Mitch Towne, Jeffrey Gimble, and Phil Brown. But we don't stop there—we pay homage to some true jazz giants: Kenny Barron, Harold Mabern, and Eddie Henderson. And to wrap this hour in style, we head East and feature a standout talent from China—Zhengtao Pan. So lean in, turn it up, and dig the jazz, my friends.

Playlist

• Count Basie Orchestra "Honeysuckle Rose" All About That Basie (Concord Jazz) 0:00
• Host talks 3:29
• Count Basie And Frank Sinatra "Fly Me to the Moon" It Might as Well be Swing (Frank Sinatra Enterprises) 5:34
• James Zito "Bird in the Wind" Zito's Jump (James Zito) 8:22
• Host talks 12:33
• Kenny Barron "Well You Needn't" The Source (Artwork Records) 13:12
• Mark Scott III "The Sun Behind the Cloud" Soft Light (Miller Three Publishing) 18:47
• Host talks 23:15
• Harold Mabern "Boogie for Al McShann" Live at Smalls (SmallsLIVE) 23:54
• Mitch Towne "Wolverine" Refuge (Cross Towne Records) 28:07
• Host talks 33:11
• Eddie Henderson "Dflat Mood" Eddie Henderson & Friends Play the Music of Amit Golan (Minton's Records) 33:47
• The Dave Robbins Big Band "Happy Faces" Happy Faces (Cellar Live) 38:19
• Host talks 40:39
• Jeffrey Gimble "Somebody Groovy" Brand New Key (Cafe Pacific Records) 41:07
• Phil Brown "In Stride" Rule of Three (A Caldera Productions) 45:03
• Host talks 50:26
• Zhengtao Pan "City Machine" Scenery in my Story (Outside in Music) 51:30