Count Basie Orchestra, which plays St. Petersburg College in St. Petersburg, Florida on Feb. 24, 2025. Credit: Photo via thecountbasieorchestra.com

The last time the Count Basie Orchestra performed in St. Pete was in 1962, when the King of Swing was still alive and well.

Basie passed in Hollywood, Florida in 1984, but the orchestra he formed in 1935 is still on tour, under the leadership of trumpeter Scotty Barnhart, and celebrating its 90th Anniversary this year.

The ensemble returns to St. Pete for a special Black History Month celebration featuring a no-cover hands-on workshop for aspiring musicians at 2 p.m., a 6 p.m. panel discussion on the orchestra’s role in the Chitlin’ Circuit, and 7:30 p.m. concert.

Tickets to see Count Basie Orchestra play the music center at St. Petersburg College’s Gibbs in St. Petersburg campus on Monday, Feb. 24 are still available for $20-$25.