Jumpin At The Woodside Count Basie Analysis

, despite still coping with the financial hardships brought on by the Great Depression In the 1930s, Americans their appetite for music and entertainment remained. During this time, swing music was very popular. Musicians like Count Basie, became famous for their big band and swing compositions. In “Jumpin at the Woodside”, was written by Count Basie, during the height of the Big Band and Swing Era. TPer SOURCE, the song was named after the hotel where Basie and his fellow band members, frequently stayed and rehearsed. The song was recorded

The introduction begins with Basie, as he plays a repetitive blues scale pattern on the piano, solo. The rest of the band joins in, and begins the A section of the song with the riff. The riff is repeated
4 times before the trumpet player interjects with a short solo. The band returns to the riff and breaks, marking a transition into the B section of the song. In the next section, the saxophones sit out, while the brass and rhythm section are in the background, as the soloist plays. Basie is using the stride piano technique, and the chord changes are heard faintly in the background. In the middle of the solo, the trombones play long notes that aren’t sustained, and gradually increase in volume.

drummer joins in, playing the hi-hat, after measures, the bass follows. The woodwind instruments carry the melody, while the trumpets answer with short notes.