Tallahassee's Scotty Barnhart and band take home Grammy for 'Basie Swings the Blues'

Tallahassee's Scotty Barnhart got his moment in the spotlight at Sunday's 66th Grammy Awards.

Looking relaxed, confident, and mightily pleased, renowned jazz trumpeter, composer, arranger, educator, and for 10 years Director of the Count Basie Orchestra, Barnhart stepped to the podium on the stage of the Crypto.Com Arena in Los Angeles to accept the award for Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album.

There, surrounded by members of the Count Basie group Barnhart accepted the 2024 Grammy for the album, “Basie Swings The Blues.”

In his acceptance, Barnhart said, “Words can’t fully describe the feelings of gratitude and elation for winning this Grammy tonight.”

He thanked the many collaborators on this unique album and then recalled that the original Count Basie had begun winning Grammys in 1958, “and he is STILL winning them today!” Hundreds of Facebook congratulations have poured in from musicians and fans alike.

Barnhart, who is also Professor of Music at Florida State University, maintains a professional touring schedule three months of the year. The ensemble had last year returned from an exhilarating tour of Japan. Performing to rave reviews, one audience member said she closed her eyes and “It WAS the Count Basie Orchestra.”

On the Grammy album, Barnhart welcomed musical stars like George Benson, Buddy Guy, Charlie Musselwhite, and Bobby Rush to join him in a unique meld of swing and blues that mesmerized listeners with the syncopation of swing and the “blue” notes of African American rhythms which became the blues.

This was certainly not the first time a Tallahassee son or daughter has won a Grammy. Most famously T-Pain, George Clinton, Creed and Julian Adderley all have Grammys. The late Kathryn Belle Long won a regional award in 2016.

Barnhart wasn't the only 'Nole to leave the stage with a Grammy Sunday night. The FSU College of Music noted that alumnus Robert Boone Jr also won for “Basie Swings the Blues.” Meanwhile, alumnus Ryan Speedo Green took home Grammy gold for his performance in Terrence Blanchard’s “Champion,” which was named Best Opera Recording.

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This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Scotty Barnhart's Count Basie Orchestra wins Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album