By BRIAN DONOHUE
Were we dreaming?
I mean, if you love Red Bank like we do, it’s hard to imagine a more perfect moment than this: the Count Basie Orchestra playing Basie’s tribute to Red Bank at the Basie.
In this video clip, the world-renowned, 91-year-old Count Basie Orchestra plays “The Kid From Red Bank” during a free concert for the community Friday. The song was originally recorded by jazz icon William “Count” Basie for the 1958 album “The Atomic Mr. Basie.”
The concert at the Count Basie Center for the Arts was held on the 122nd anniversary of Basie’s birth here in Red Bank.
The 45-minute free set, which opened with “The Kid From Red Bank” was part of both a three-day celebration of his birthday and a year-long celebration of the theater’s centennial.
The day also featured the unveiling of a plaque designating the Count Basie Center for the Arts as a stop on the New Jersey Black Heritage Trail. 
If you missed this insane moment, (and, judging by the attendance, most of you did), you have another couple of shots to get your act together and see the 91-year-old world renowned band in this almost-too-perfect setting.
The Count Basie Orchestra returns to the theater again Saturday for a $19.26 concert and again on Sunday, where they’ll be joined by Tony Award winners Sutton Foster and Kelli O’Hara. For more details go to thebasie.org.
redbankgreen editor Brian Donohue may be reached via email at [email protected] or by calling or texting 848-331-8331.
