Full Name: William James Basie
Profession: Jazz Pianist, Bandleader, and Composer
Biography: Count Basie presided over his Count Basie Orchestra for almost 50 years. His outfit was a launching pad for many jazz greats, including tenor saxophonist Lester Young, guitarist Freddie Green, trumpeters Buck Clayton and Harry "Sweets" Edison, and vocalists Jimmy Rushing, Helen Humes, and Joe Williams.
Basie began his career on the vaudeville circuit as a solo piano act and accompanist to blues singers. He learned to play the organ from Fats Waller. He joined Bennie Moten's Band in Kansas City in 1929 until Moten's death in 1935. He then formed his famed Count Basie Orchestra, which he led into the 1980s The group continues to tour and record since his death.
In 1961, he led his group at one of John F. Kennedy's inaugural balls. Several prominent singers collaborated with Basie through the 1960s and 70s, including Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Ella Fitzgerald, Sammy Davis, Jr., Arthur Prysock, Sarah Vaughan, and Bing Crosby.
He and his orchestra made a cameo appearance in the Mel Brooks' 1974 movie "Blazing Saddles", playing a revised arrangement of their hit song "April in Paris".
Basie earned 9 Grammy Awards between 1958 and 1984.
The Monmouth Arts Center, a restored 1926 theatre in his home town of Red Bank, New Jersey, was renamed the Count Basie Theatre shortly after his passing. He was posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Ronald Reagan in 1985. In1996, the U.S. Post Office issued a commemorative postage stamp honoring Basie, as part of the Big Band Leaders issue from its Legends of American Music series.
Born: August 21, 1904
Birthplace: Red Bank, New Jersey, USA
Generation: Greatest Generation
Chinese Zodiac: Dragon
Star Sign: Leo
Died: April 26, 1984 (aged 79)
Cause of Death: Pancreatic cancer
Married Life
- 1930-07-21 American jazz pianist Count Basie weds Vivian Lee Winn, in Kansas City, Missouri; divorce in 1934
- 1940-07-13 American jazz pianist and bandleader Count Basie weds second wife American Catherine Morgan at the King County courthouse in Seattle, Washington, until her death in 1983
Historical Events
- 1942-01-21 Count Basie records the music single and Jazz standard "One O'Clock Jump"
- 1945-09-23 First Cavalcade of Jazz outdoor concert held at Wrigley Field, Los Angeles with Count Basie, Valaida Snow and others
- 1957-12-08 CBS broadcasts "The Sound of Jazz", live from NYC: an all-star program featuring swing era and contemporary jazz artists, including Count Basie, Red Allen, Ben Webster;, Thelonious Monk, and Gerry Mulligan; highlight is the final collaboration of Billie Holiday and Lester Young on "Fine and Mellow"
- 1968-07-20 Judy Garland headlines concert also featuring Count Basie and Jackie Wilson at JFK Stadium, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; her last US concert
Biographies and Sources
- William J. “Count” Basie (1904-1984) - Count Basie Center for the Arts
Alan Menken
Danny Elfman
John Philip Sousa
Jon Batiste
Liberace
Nicky Hopkins