Count Basie

Personal Info

Known For

Acting

Born

August 21, 1904

Died

April 26, 1984 (age 79)

Place of Birth

Red Bank, New Jersey, USA

Also Known As

William James Basie

Count Basie

Biography

William James "Count" Basie (/ˈbeɪsi/; August 21, 1904 – April 26, 1984) was an American jazz pianist, organist, bandleader, and composer. In 1935, he formed the Count Basie Orchestra, and in 1936 took them to Chicago for a long engagement and their first recording. He led the group for almost 50 years, creating innovations like the use of two "split" tenor saxophones, emphasizing the rhythm section, riffing with a big band, using arrangers to broaden their sound, his minimalist piano style, and others. Many musicians came to prominence under his direction, including the tenor saxophonists Lester Young and Herschel Evans, the guitarist Freddie Green, trumpeters Buck Clayton and Harry "Sweets" Edison, plunger trombonist Al Grey, and singers Jimmy Rushing, Helen Humes, Dennis Rowland, Thelma Carpenter, and Joe Williams. As a composer, Basie is known for writing such jazz standards as "Blue and Sentimental", "Jumpin' at the Woodside" and "One O'Clock Jump". Description above from the Wikipedia article Count Basie, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.

Known For

Filmography

2022FilmLouis Armstrong's Black & Bluesas Self (voice) (archive sound)2022FilmRat Packas Self (archive footage)2022FilmCharlie Parker: Bird Songsas Self (archive footage)2020FilmBillieas self2020FilmCount Basie: Through His Own Eyes2019FilmSid & Judyas Self (archive footage)2014FilmJazz Legends in Their Own Wordsas Self (archive footage)2011FilmAll-Star Jazz Show: Live from The Ed Sullivan Theateras Self2007FilmMusic Innas Himself (archive footage)2006FilmJazz Icons: Count Basie Live in '62as Himself2005FilmJudy Garland Duetsas Self (archive footage)2004FilmThe Harlem Renaissanceas Self (archive footage)2004FilmImprovisationas Self2003FilmPiano Bluesas Self (archive footage)2001FilmNew York in the Fiftiesas Self1993FilmBluesland: A Portrait in American Musicas Self (archive footage)1981FilmFrank Sinatra: The Man and His Musicas Self1981FilmCount Basie At Carnegie Hallas Self1980TVThe Big Showas Self1979FilmThe Last Of The Blue Devils - The Kansas City Jazz Storyas Self1979FilmNorman Granz’ Jazz in Montreaux presents Ella and Basie '79—"The Perfect Match"as Sself (Piano, Conductor)1978TVThe Kennedy Center Honorsas Self1974FilmBlazing Saddlesas Self1966TVABC Stage 67as Self1966FilmMade in Parisas Count Basie1965FilmFrank Sinatra Spectacularas Self1964TVThe Hollywood Palaceas Self - Pianist1963TVThe Judy Garland Showas Self1962TVThe Merv Griffin Showas Self1962TVThe Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carsonas Self1961TVThe Mike Douglas Showas Self1960FilmCinderfellaas Count Basie1957FilmJamboree!as Count Basie1956TVThe Dinah Shore Chevy Showas Self1956TVThe Steve Allen Showas Self - Conductor1955FilmRhythm and Blues Revueas Self1951Film'Sugar Chile' Robinson, Billie Holiday, Count Basie and His Sextet1950FilmBasie Boogie1950TVCavalcade of Bands1948TVThe Ed Sullivan Showas Self1943FilmCrazy Houseas Count Basie1943FilmTop Manas Orchestra Leader1943FilmStage Door Canteenas Count Basie1941FilmAir Mail Specialas Self1941FilmTake Me Back, Baby1938FilmPolicy Manas Count BasieFilmEbony Paradeas (archive footage)

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