Down for Double is a mid-20th century jazz tune written by Freddie Green, the longtime guitarist with the Count Basie Orchestra. The Count Basie and His Orchestra first recorded it on November 17, 1941, and it was released in March 1942. It is a medium swing instrumental that highlights Basie’s tight ensemble playing and Green’s distinctive guitar comping. The tune quickly became one of Basie’s standards and is regarded as a swing hallmark of the band. Freddie Green later issued an instrumental version in 1956, and over the years the piece has been recorded and adapted by numerous artists, keeping it alive in the swing repertoire.
