In June of 1979 I had the honor of hiring Count Basie and his big band to tape three TV commercials and four radio commercials for a local music store in Columbus, Ohio. I wrote, produced, and directed the spots as the creative director of a Columbus ad agency. When I asked him to noodle around with "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town" during the Christmas spot we were recording for use in December, he allowed as how he didn't know that tune. He asked me to "hum a few bars." And thus, with the help of his wonderful, long-time guitarist, Freddie Green, I (me?) taught Count Basie a song! Wow!
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