Winner for the 2024 Grammy for Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album, Basie Swings The Blues marks a significant entry in the Count Basie Orchestra's legacy, blending the classic Basie Swings style with a deep dive into the blues genre through collaborations with renowned blues and jazz artists. Under the direction of Scotty Barnhart, the orchestra honors Count Basie's influential jazz tradition, ensuring his musical contributions endure globally.

This album celebrates the intertwined roots of jazz and blues, highlighting their shared essence of heartfelt human expression and fluid genre boundaries. Barnhart's Mississippi pilgrimage to iconic blues birthplaces like those of Robert Johnson and Muddy Waters inspired a fusion of Delta Blues authenticity with Basie's signature swing sophistication, echoing Basie's belief that "our blues will make your blues go away."

Produced by Barnhart, Grammy winners John Burk and Steve Jordan, the album features a stellar lineup including Buddy Guy, Bobby Rush, Keb Mo, Shemekia Copeland, Robert Cray, Charlie Musselwhite, Bettye LaVette, Ledisi, and George Benson. Together, they reinterpret blues classics like "Stormy Monday" alongside modern hits such as "Let’s Have A Good Time" and Barnhart's inventive "The Patton Basie Shuffle," blending tradition with innovation.

With meticulous attention to detail, this album showcases the unique voices and styles of these legendary artists, creating a timeless musical experience that captures the essence of the blues within Basie's electrifying swing framework