Which arranger worked on Sinatra-Basie: An Historic Musical First?

Which arranger worked on Sinatra-Basie: An Historic Musical First? Neal Hefti was the arranger.

Released in 1962, Sinatra-Basie: An Historic Musical First was Sinatra’s first studio collaboration with the Count Basie Orchestra. Hefti arranged and conducted the album’s sessions, shaping the brass-heavy, rhythmically direct sound that linked Sinatra’s phrasing with Basie’s celebrated swing ensemble.

The album was recorded on October 2 and 3, 1962, at United Recording in Hollywood and released by Reprise on December 10. Its tracks include “Pennies from Heaven,” “Please Be Kind,” “Learnin’ the Blues,” and “Nice Work If You Can Get It.” Count Basie played piano, while Bill Miller also contributed piano parts.

Quincy Jones is an easy alternative to choose because he later orchestrated Sinatra and Basie’s 1964 album It Might as Well Be Swing. Gordon Jenkins and Don Costa were also important Sinatra arrangers, but they are not the credited arranger for this particular Basie collaboration. The album’s historical importance is that it began Sinatra’s recorded studio partnership with Basie’s band.