"Basie's Blues" is a rousing medium tempo big band chart which also functions as a Basie-style piano feature. Arranger Russell Schmidt has crafted a unique three-horn harmonization (plus optional flute and clarinet) of the main theme, giving this piece a very distinctive sound. In addition to solo space for the pianist, there is a bass solo (although this solo can easily be moved to another instrument, if desired). "Basie's Blues" is based on one of the easiest etudes from Jim Snidero's Easy Jazz Conception Series.