ABSTRACT
Just what Bennie Moten said to Hot Lips Page to entice him to join his big band will most probably never be known. According to New York DJ and jazz historian Phil Schaap, who interviewed many original Basieites between the 1970s and the 1990s, Lips was very devoted to Walter Page and the Blue Devils:
Jimmy Rushing was unequivocal that Hot Lips Page was there at the meeting at which Count Basie announced he was leaving…to join Bennie Moten. Jimmy Rushing distinctly recalled Lips yelling derisively at Basie when Count made his farewell announcement from Walter Page’s Blue Devils. 1
