A combination made in swing heaven, Basie and Zoot: two musicians of different generations for whom eras, styles, and labels had little meaning when it came time to blow. In this 1975 session Basie, a pianist often thought to be the quintessence of cool restraint, disclosed that the early spell cast on him by Fats Waller was still in force. He strides and shouts and even takes a turn on the organ, using what the master showed him 40 years earlier. Sims, who could swing from a standing start, is a perfect partner for Basie. Encouraged by the rhythmic insistence of bassist John Heard and drummer Louis Bellson, Basie and Zoot turn in some of their happiest playing ever.

I Never Knew, It's Only a Paper Moon, Blues for Nat Cole, Captain Bligh, Honeysuckle Rose, Hardav, Mean to Me; I Surrender, Dear

with John Heard, Louis Bellson