Sammy Nestico: Queen Bee, The: Jazz Ensemble

As recorded by Count Basie & His Orchestra for their Basie Straight Ahead album of 1968, this classic blues features a moderate tempo, piano and tenor solos, solid sax and brass solis, and a series of ensemble shouts punctuated by dramatically quieter passages to create the kind of intensity that keeps listeners riveted until the closing chord ends. Rhythm section parts are partially notated with chords cued, and the first brass soli calls for bucket mutes.