By Mark Ambrogi
Everett Greene’s rich bass-baritone voice is the perfect accompaniment for The Count Meets the Duke.
Greene, who has performed with the Count Basie Band, will join the Heartland Big Band for The Count Meets The Duke at The Warehouse, 254 1st Ave. SW, Carmel, at 7 p.m. on Sept. 26.
Greene enjoys introducing younger listeners to the sounds of jazz legends Count Basie and Duke Ellington.
“We try to keep them interested in the music of the Count Basie/Duke Ellington era so they can combine today’s music and yesterday’s music and see what they can do,” Greene said. “A lot of the youngsters aren’t familiar with the Count Basie/Duke Ellington music so we try to introduce them to all of it.”
Greene, who lives on the east side of Indianapolis, said he expects to perform six songs with the Heartland Big Band.
“I’ve performed all over the world,” Greene said. “My schedule is slowing down a little bit. I’ve had a couple of health problems. I’m not traveling quite as much, but I’m still traveling to festivals and concerts. I’m 81 — another reason for slowing down.”
Greene, who has performed with jazz greats such as Wes Montgomery, Snooky Young and David Baker, was inducted into the Indiana Jazz Hall of Fame in 2005 and received Butler University’s inaugural Jazz Legend Award in 2014.
“I love all the music of all the eras,” Greene said.
The Heartland Big Band is the primary performing ensemble of the Heartland Jazz Heritage Foundation.
Tickets are available for $25 in advance at liveforthemusic.com and $30 on the day of the show.