Freddie Green is the supreme representative of rhythm guitar playing in jazz. Indeed, he was the epitome of the steady beat, cementing the smooth pulse of the Basie rhythm section from his first gig in 1937 until the Count's death in 1985. Also much in demand as a session player, he appears on records by Billie Holliday, Sarah Vaughan, Benny Goodman, and Lester Young, to name a few. Freddie cut his only albums as a leader of small groups in '55 and '75 (along with guitarist Herb Ellis).