LeAnn Rimes
American singer and actress (born 1982)
Count Basie was an American jazz legend who led his famous orchestra for nearly 50 years. He was known for his innovative musical style, including the use of two tenor saxophones, a strong rhythm section, and a minimalist piano approach. Many renowned musicians gained prominence under Basie’s direction.
Table of Contents
About the Count Basie
William James “Count” Basiewas 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, 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”.
Frequently Asked Questions
Count Basie was an American jazz pianist, organist, bandleader, and composer who formed the Count Basie Orchestra in 1935.
Count Basie was known for using two ,split, tenor saxophones, emphasizing the rhythm section, riffing with a big band, and employing arrangers to broaden the orchestra’s sound, as well as his minimalist piano style.
As a composer, Count Basie is known for writing such jazz standards as ,Blue and Sentimental,, ,Jumpin’ at the Woodside, and ,One O’Clock Jump,.
Many acclaimed musicians, including the tenor saxophonists Lester Young and Herschel Evans, guitarist Freddie Green, trumpeters Buck Clayton and Harry ,Sweets, Edison, trombonist Al Grey, and vocalists Jimmy Rushing, Helen Humes, Thelma Carpenter, and Joe Williams, gained prominence under Count Basie’s leadership.
Count Basie was born on August 21, 1904, and passed away on April 26, 1984.
Count Basie led the Count Basie Orchestra for almost 50 years, from 1935 until his death in 1984.
In 1936, Count Basie took the Count Basie Orchestra to Chicago for a long engagement and their first recording.
7 Quotes by Count Basie
- 1.
I’m saying: to be continued, until we meet again. Meanwhile, keep on listening and tapping your feet.
Count BasieAmerican jazz musician and composer (1904-1984)
- 2.
All I wanted was to be big, to be in show business and to travel… and that’s what I’ve been doing all my life.
Count BasieAmerican jazz musician and composer (1904-1984)
- 3.
Well, if you find a note tonight that sounds good, play the same damn note every night!
Count BasieAmerican jazz musician and composer (1904-1984)
- 4.
I decided that I would be one of the biggest new names; and I actually had some little fancy business cards printed up to announce it, ‘Count Basie. Beware, the Count is Here.’
Count BasieAmerican jazz musician and composer (1904-1984)
- 5.
I, of course, wanted to play real jazz. When we played pop tunes, and naturally we had to, I wanted those pops to kick! Not loud and fast, understand, but smoothly and with a definite punch.
Count BasieAmerican jazz musician and composer (1904-1984)
- 6.
If you play a tune and a person don’t tap their feet, don’t play the tune.
Count BasieAmerican jazz musician and composer (1904-1984)
- 7.
Of course, there are a lot of ways you can treat the blues, but it will still be the blues.
Count BasieAmerican jazz musician and composer (1904-1984)