RECORDING: Backgrounder: Freddie Green’s Mr. Rhythm

Freddie Green, Count Basie’s long-time rhythm guitarist, recorded just one album as a leader—Mr. Rhythm, for RCA in December 1955. Green’s tenure with Basie date back to March 1937.and#0160; On Mr. Rhythm, Green assembled an all-star group that was arranged like a pocket version of Basie’s band, complete with Nat Pierce on piano: Joe Newman (tp), Henry Coker (tb), Al Cohn (ts-3,cl,bass-cl-1,arr), Nat Pierce (p), Freddie Green (g), Milt Hinton (b), Jo Jones (d), Osie Johnson (d-2) replaces Jones, and Manny Albam and Ernie Wilkins (arr)….