Count Basie

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, 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, Thelma Carpenter, and Joe Williams.

Count Basie
Basie at the piano in a 1955 photographic portrait by James J. Kriegsmann
Background information
Birth nameWilliam James Basie
Born(1904-08-21)August 21, 1904
Red Bank, New Jersey, U.S.
DiedApril 26, 1984(1984-04-26) (aged 79)
Hollywood, Florida, U.S.
Genres
Occupation(s)
  • Musician
  • bandleader
  • composer
Instrument(s)
Years active1924–1984
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