Tallahassee's Scotty Barnhart and band take home Grammy for 'Basie Swings the Blues'
Tallahassee's Scotty Barnhart got his moment in the spotlight at Sunday's 66th Grammy Awards.
Looking relaxed, confident, and mightily pleased, renowned jazz trumpeter, composer, arranger, educator, and for 10 years Director of the Count Basie Orchestra, Barnhart stepped to the podium on the stage of the Crypto.Com Arena in Los Angeles to accept the award for Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album.
There, surrounded by members of the Count Basie group, and with his fiancé, Dr. Yvette Mignon, in shimmering gold, Barnhart accepted the 2024 Grammy for the album, “Basie Swings The Blues.”
In his acceptance, Barnhart, now a three-time Grammy-winner, said, “Words can’t fully describe the feelings of gratitude and elation for winning this Grammy tonight.”
He thanked the many collaborators on the unique album and then recalled that the original Count Basie, who passed away 40 years ago, had begun winning Grammys in 1958, “and he is STILL winning them today!” Hundreds of FaceBook congratulations have poured in from musicians and fans all over the world.
The evening after the star-studded ceremony in Los Angeles, Barnhart and the Count Basie Orchestra were shaking off some jet-lag in Louisville, Kentucky. Speaking to the Tallahassee Democrat from his dressing room minutes before the Kentucky show, Barnhart chatted about the “nerves” he and the orchestra had felt just before their name was called out on Sunday and his delight that this “different” kind of jazz and blues had won listeners’ hearts.
Barnhart, a Florida A&M University graduate, who is also Professor of Jazz Trumpet at Florida State University, maintains a professional touring schedule three months of the year.
The ensemble had last year returned from an exhilarating tour of Japan, a venue Barnhart says he loves. “We’ve performed in Japan 35 times. They’re the most knowledgeable country in the world about jazz.”
Performing to rave reviews, one audience member said she closed her eyes and “It WAS the Count Basie Orchestra.”
On the Grammy album, Barnhart welcomed musical stars like George Benson, Buddy Guy, Charlie Musselwhite, and Bobby Rush to join him in a unique meld of swing and blues that mesmerized listeners with the syncopation of swing and the “blue” notes of African American rhythms which became the blues.
This was certainly not the first time a Tallahassee son or daughter has won a Grammy. Most famously T-Pain, George Clinton, Creed and Julian Adderley all have Grammys. The late Kathryn Belle Long won a regional award in 2016.
Barnhart wasn't the only 'Nole to leave the stage with a Grammy Sunday night. The FSU College of Music noted that alumnus Robert Boone Jr also won for “Basie Swings the Blues.” Meanwhile, alumnus Ryan Speedo Green took home Grammy gold for his performance in Terrence Blanchard’s “Champion,” which was named Best Opera Recording.
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This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Scotty Barnhart's Count Basie Orchestra wins Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album