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.
Personal Details
Also Known As
Movies (35)
Louis Armstrong's Black & Blues
as Self (voice) (archive sound)
2022
Rat Pack
as Self (archive footage)
2022
Charlie Parker: Bird Songs
as Self (archive footage)
2022
Billie
as self
2020
Count Basie: Through His Own Eyes
2020
Sid & Judy
as Self (archive footage)
2019
Jazz Legends in Their Own Words
as Self (archive footage)
2014
All-Star Jazz Show: Live from The Ed Sullivan Theater
as Self
2011
Music Inn
as Himself (archive footage)
2007
Jazz Icons: Count Basie Live in '62
as Himself
2006
Sentimental Journey
In Memory Of (Crew)
2006
Judy Garland Duets
as Self (archive footage)
2005
The Harlem Renaissance
as Self (archive footage)
2004
Improvisation
as Self
2004
Piano Blues
as Self (archive footage)
2003
New York in the Fifties
as Self
2001
Bluesland: A Portrait in American Music
as Self (archive footage)
1993
Frank Sinatra: The Man and His Music
as Self
1981
Count Basie At Carnegie Hall
as Self
1981
The Last Of The Blue Devils - The Kansas City Jazz Story
as Self
1979
Norman Granz’ Jazz in Montreaux presents Ella and Basie '79—"The Perfect Match"
as Sself (Piano, Conductor)
1979
Blazing Saddles
as Self
1974
Frank Sinatra Spectacular
as Self
1965
Cinderfella
as Count Basie
1960
Jamboree!
as Count Basie
1957
Rhythm and Blues Revue
as Self
1955
'Sugar Chile' Robinson, Billie Holiday, Count Basie and His Sextet
1951
Basie Boogie
1950
Killer Diller
Original Music Composer (Sound)
1948
Crazy House
as Count Basie
1943
Top Man
as Orchestra Leader
1943
Stage Door Canteen
as Count Basie
1943
Air Mail Special
as Self
1941
Take Me Back, Baby
1941
Policy Man
as Count Basie
1938
TV Shows (12)
The Big Show
as Self
1980
The Kennedy Center Honors
as Self
1978
ABC Stage 67
as Self
1966
The Hollywood Palace
as Self - Pianist
1964
The Judy Garland Show
as Self
1963
The Merv Griffin Show
as Self
1962
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
as Self
1962
The Mike Douglas Show
as Self
1961
The Dinah Shore Chevy Show
as Self
1956
The Steve Allen Show
as Self - Conductor
1956
Cavalcade of Bands
1950
The Ed Sullivan Show
as Self
1948