1961 · Album
First Time! The Count Meets the Duke
Recorded 1961 · Columbia · Produced by Not specified in verified sources
When Two Titans Sat Down Together
Ellington and Basie trading piano solos, their interaction wonderful, stars from both bands taking turns.
When First Time! The Count Meets the Duke arrived in 1961, it landed as a straightforward proposition: two of jazz's most commanding figures in the same room, leading their orchestras. Critics took notice immediately. AllMusic reviewer Scott Yanow awarded it 4½ stars, calling it "a very successful and surprisingly uncrowded encounter." The album avoided the trap that kills most all-star sessions—ego collision or muddled arrangements. Instead, the writing gave both bands room to breathe, and Count Basie and Duke Ellington spent much of the record at the piano together, their exchange genuinely engaging rather than competitive.
What makes this record worth hearing is precisely what Yanow identified: the piano interplay. On most tracks, both men play, and you hear them listening to each other—responding, reacting, never stepping on each other's phrases. Soloists like Harry Carney on baritone saxophone and Frank Foster on tenor get their moments, as do William "Cat" Anderson on trumpet and the rhythm section of Freddie Green on guitar and the bass players Aaron Bell and Eddie Jones. But this is ultimately a piano album, and the restraint in the arrangements lets that conversation live at the center.
This sits apart from both men's regular output—it's neither a Basie rhythm section showcase nor an Ellington composition recital. It's closer to a special occasion, the kind of thing that made sense in 1961 and still holds up because the players understood what they were there to do: play together, not around each other.
Who's playing
Aaron Belldouble bass
Eddie Jonesdouble bass
Count Basiepiano, solo
Duke Ellingtonpiano, solo
Billy Strayhornpiano, solo
Freddie Greenguitar
Harry Carneybaritone saxophone, solo
Frank Fostersolo, tenor saxophone
Charlie Fowlkesbaritone saxophone
Paul Gonsalvestenor saxophone
Johnny Hodgesalto saxophone
Budd Johnsontenor saxophone
Marshall Royalalto saxophone
William “Cat” Andersonsolo, trumpet
Sonny Cohntrumpet
Willie Cooktrumpet
Andrew “Fats” Fordtrumpet
Lennie Johnsontrumpet
Thad Jonestrumpet
Ed Mullenstrumpet
Ray Nancesolo, trumpet
Snooky Youngtrumpet
Lonnie Johnsontrumpet
Lou Blackburntrombone
Lawrence Browntrombone
Henry Cokertrombone
Quentin Jacksontrombone
Benny Powelltrombone
Juan Tizolvalve trombone
Sam Woodyarddrums, solo
Sonny Paynedrums, solo
Jimmy Hamiltonclarinet, solo
Russell Procopereeds
Frank Wessreeds
Where next?
More by Count Basie
The Atomic Mr. Basie 1958
Arthur Prysock / Count Basie 1966
Sammy Davis & Count Basie: Our Shining Hour 1965
At Newport 1957
The musicians on this record
Duke Ellington & John Coltrane 1963
Duke Ellington
plays piano here
plays piano here
Back to Back: Duke Ellington and Johnny Hodges Play the Blues 1959
Johnny Hodges
plays alto saxophone here
plays alto saxophone here
Gettin' Together! 1961
Paul Gonsalves
plays tenor saxophone here
plays tenor saxophone here
♫
Cue for Saxophone 1959
Billy Strayhorn
plays piano here
plays piano here