By now, you’ve probably had just enough of the same old holly jolly stuff. Mark Saleski is here to help with some suggestions from off the beaten path.

A highlight of ‘Ultimate Sinatra,’ everything is in place on Frank Sinatra’s Count Basie collaboration “Best is Yet to Come.” And then it surprises you.

Sometimes, you’ve simply got to talk back to the blues. That’s what happened to Jimmy Rushing, appearing here with the Count Basie Orchestra.

Though somewhat less distinctive in his moment than Frank Foster, reedman Frank Wess has outlived his late long-time partner in the Count Basie Band — and that’s provided an opportunity to reassess his contributions, in particular on the flute. You May Also Like: Frank Sinatra + Count Basie, “The BestRead More