Quote:
Originally Posted by Takeda Shingen
Basie then remains a poor choice. Why not Edward Kennedy Ellington, who's musical impact was the greatest of any of the 'big band' era? Or, even Benny Goodman, who pioneered mixed race music, and fought discrimination from promoters and club owners who prohibited his band to play because he hired African American musicians?
For athletics, Pop Warner or Joe McCarthy or the venerable Yogi Berra woudl have been superior decisions.
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They gave their reason for including Basie in the caption to the photo. Purely anecdotal, but nothing to do with being a pioneer in fighting discrimination in the business or anything else other than what happened when he sat down and "took over" a group of musicians.
I'm not saying it's a great list or that I agree with all of it, lol, just that the criteria they are using for what makes someone a "great leader" and in what context is not what one usually expects with lists like this (judging by the responses here so far).
That said, as a bandleader pure and simple, IMO Count Basie kicks Benny Goodman's butt, takes his lunch money, steals his girlfriend, and drives off with her in Goodman's car.
But I'm right there with you on Kirk. Including him is just bizarre. Everybody knows Picard is way better.
