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

The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson

The Mike Douglas Show

The Merv Griffin Show

The Ed Sullivan Show

The Steve Allen Show

The Steve Allen Show

The Steve Allen Show

The Dinah Shore Chevy Show

All Movies (36)

• Louis Armstrong's Black & Blues2022 · as Self (voice) (archive sound)
• Rat Pack2022 · as Self (archive footage)
• Charlie Parker: Bird Songs2022 · as Self (archive footage)
• Billie2020 · as self
• Count Basie: Through His Own Eyes2020
• Sid & Judy2019 · as Self (archive footage)
• Jazz Legends in Their Own Words2014 · as Self (archive footage)
• All-Star Jazz Show: Live from The Ed Sullivan Theater2011 · as Self
• Music Inn2007 · as Himself (archive footage)
• Jazz Icons: Count Basie Live in '622006 · as Himself
• Judy Garland Duets2005 · as Self (archive footage)
• The Harlem Renaissance2004 · as Self (archive footage)
• Improvisation2004 · as Self
• Piano Blues2003 · as Self (archive footage)
• New York in the Fifties2001 · as Self
• Bluesland: A Portrait in American Music1993 · as Self (archive footage)
• Frank Sinatra: The Man and His Music1981 · as Self
• Count Basie At Carnegie Hall1981 · as Self
• The Last of the Blue Devils1979 · as Self
• Norman Granz’ Jazz in Montreaux presents Ella and Basie '79—"The Perfect Match"1979 · as Sself (Piano, Conductor)
• Blazing Saddles1974 · as Self
• Made in Paris1966 · as Count Basie
• Frank Sinatra Spectacular1965 · as Self
• Cinderfella1960 · as Count Basie
• Astaire Time1960 · as Self
• Jamboree!1957 · as Count Basie
• Rhythm and Blues Revue1955 · as Self
• 'Sugar Chile' Robinson, Billie Holiday, Count Basie and His Sextet1951
• Basie Boogie1950
• Crazy House1943 · as Count Basie
• Top Man1943 · as Orchestra Leader
• Stage Door Canteen1943 · as Count Basie
• Air Mail Special1941 · as Self
• Take Me Back, Baby1941
• Policy Man1938 · as Count Basie
• Ebony Parade— · as (archive footage)

All TV Shows (15)

• The Big Show1980 · as Self
• The Kennedy Center Honors1978 · as Self
• ABC Stage 671966 · as Self
• The Hollywood Palace1964 · as Self - Pianist
• The Judy Garland Show1963 · as Self
• The Merv Griffin Show1962 · as Self
• The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson1962 · as Self
• The Mike Douglas Show1961 · as Self
• Startime1959 · as Self
• The Dinah Shore Chevy Show1956 · as Self
• The Steve Allen Show1956 · as Self - Conductor
• The Steve Allen Show1956 · as Self - Pianist
• The Steve Allen Show1956 · as Self - Bandleader
• Cavalcade of Bands1950
• The Ed Sullivan Show1948 · as Self