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2007-2025

Backgrounder: Count Basie's Sinatra Tribute (1963)

Marc Myers's avatar
Marc Myers
Jul 25, 2025
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In 1963, Count Basie was persuaded by producer Norman Granz to record a tribute album to singer Frank Sinatra. Though Creed Taylor was Verve's executive producer by then, Granz held onto several of his artists, including Basie and Ella Fitzgerald, after the label was sold to MGM.

By then, Sinatra and Basie had recorded and released the first of three alb…

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