When they had time off from the Count Basie Orchestra in the late 1930s,
the Count's rhythm musicians formed a small ensemble called the
Kansas City Five. And when legendary tenor saxophonist
Lester Young joined the band, it became the
Kansas City Six. Commodore Records founder
Milt Gabler realized a stripped-down, straightforward recording of such fine musicians as trumpeter
Bill Coleman, trombonist
Dicky Wells and drummer
Jo Jones could produce such potent music as "Three Little Words," "Jo-Jo" and "Way Down Yonder in New Orleans." ~ Ron DePasquale