Personal Info
Known For
Acting
Gender
Male
Birthday
8/21/1904
Place of Birth
Red Bank, New Jersey, USA
Also Known As
William James 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 Le...
Known For
Blazing Saddles
as Self
Top Man
as Orchestra Leader
Cinderfella
as Count Basie
Sid & Judy
as Self (archive footage)
Piano Blues
as Self (archive footage)
Crazy House
as Count Basie
Louis Armstrong's Black & Blues
as Self (voice) (archive sound)
Stage Door Canteen
as Count Basie
Rat Pack
as Self (archive footage)
Policy Man
as Count Basie
Billie
as self
Jamboree!
as Count Basie
Charlie Parker: Bird Songs
as Self (archive footage)
Improvisation
as Self
Rhythm and Blues Revue
as Self
Frank Sinatra: The Man and His Music
as Self
Frank Sinatra Spectacular
as Self
Judy Garland Duets
as Self (archive footage)
Count Basie At Carnegie Hall
as Self
Air Mail Special
as Self