Count 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
Personal Info
Known For
Acting
Known Credits
49
Gender
Male
Birthday
1904-08-21 (121 years old)
Place of Birth
Red Bank, New Jersey, USA
Acting

2022

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)

2020

Billie as self

2020

Count Basie: Through His Own Eyes as Not available

2019

Sid & Judy as Self (archive footage)

2014

Jazz Legends in Their Own Words as Self (archive footage)

2007

Music Inn as Himself (archive footage)

2005

Judy Garland Duets as Self (archive footage)

2004

The Harlem Renaissance as Self (archive footage)

2004

Improvisation as Self

2003

Piano Blues as Self (archive footage)

1993

Bluesland: A Portrait in American Music as Self (archive footage)

1980

The Big Show as Self

1974

Blazing Saddles as Self

1966

ABC Stage 67 as Self

1964

The Hollywood Palace as Self - Pianist

1960

Cinderfella as Count Basie

1956

The Steve Allen Show as Self - Conductor

1956

The Steve Allen Show as Self - Pianist

1956

The Steve Allen Show as Self - Bandleader

1950

Cavalcade of Bands as Not available

1950

Basie Boogie as Not available

1943

Top Man as Orchestra Leader

1943

Crazy House as Count Basie

1943

Stage Door Canteen as Count Basie

1941

Air Mail Special as Self

1941

Take Me Back, Baby as Not available

1938

Policy Man as Count Basie

NaN

Ebony Parade as (archive footage)
Crew

2006

Sentimental Journey In Memory Of

1948

Killer Diller Original Music Composer