Count Basie

Count Basie
James J. Kriegsmann · Public domain · source
Name	Count Basie
Caption	Count Basie in 1955
Birth name	William James Basie
Birth date	August 21, 1904
Birth place	Red Bank, New Jersey, United States
Death date	April 26, 1984
Death place	Hollywood, Florida, United States
Genre	Jazz, Swing, Blues
Occupation	Musician, Bandleader, Composer
Instrument	Piano

Count Basie was a renowned American jazz pianist, bandleader, and composer who played a significant role in the development of swing music and jazz. Born in Red Bank, New Jersey, he was influenced by James P. Johnson, Fats Waller, and Duke Ellington. Basie's unique style, which emphasized rhythm section and improvisation, was shaped by his experiences playing with Benny Moten and Walter Page in Kansas City, Missouri. He was also associated with Lester Young, Buck Clayton, and Satchmo, and performed at venues like the Savoy Ballroom and Carnegie Hall.

Early Life and Career

Count Basie was born on August 21, 1904, in Red Bank, New Jersey, to Harvey Lee Basie and Lillian Childs Basie. He began taking piano lessons at a young age and was influenced by jazz pianists like James P. Johnson and Fats Waller. Basie's early career included playing with Oran "Hot Lips" Page and Benny Moten in Kansas City, Missouri, where he developed his unique style and was exposed to the city's vibrant jazz scene, which included musicians like Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, and Thelonious Monk. He also performed with Walter Page and the Blue Devils, and later joined the Topeka, Kansas-based Bennie Moten Orchestra, which included Eddie Barefield, Lester Young, and Buck Clayton.

Music Style and Influence

Count Basie's music style was characterized by his emphasis on rhythm section and improvisation, which was influenced by his experiences playing with Benny Moten and Walter Page in Kansas City, Missouri. He was also influenced by Duke Ellington, Fletcher Henderson, and Don Redman, and his music reflected the swing music and jazz traditions of the time, with musicians like Louis Armstrong, Jelly Roll Morton, and King Oliver. Basie's unique approach to piano playing and bandleading was shaped by his associations with Lester Young, Buck Clayton, and Satchmo, and he was known for his ability to bring out the best in his musicians, including Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, and Frank Sinatra. His music was also influenced by the blues tradition, with musicians like Bessie Smith, Ma Rainey, and Ethel Waters.

The Count Basie Orchestra

The Count Basie Orchestra was formed in the 1930s and became one of the most influential and successful jazz bands of all time, with musicians like Lester Young, Buck Clayton, and Satchmo. The orchestra was known for its unique sound, which emphasized rhythm section and improvisation, and featured a range of talented musicians, including Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis, Thad Jones, and Frank Foster. The orchestra performed at venues like the Savoy Ballroom, Carnegie Hall, and the Hollywood Bowl, and toured extensively throughout the United States and Europe, with stops in cities like Paris, France, London, England, and Tokyo, Japan. The orchestra also collaborated with other musicians, including Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, and Ella Fitzgerald, and performed at events like the Newport Jazz Festival and the Montreux Jazz Festival.

Discography

Count Basie's discography includes a wide range of recordings, from his early work with Benny Moten and Walter Page to his later recordings with the Count Basie Orchestra. Some of his most notable recordings include April in Paris with Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis, The Atomic Mr. Basie with Thad Jones, and Sinatra-Basie with Frank Sinatra. Basie also recorded with other musicians, including Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, and Dizzy Gillespie, and his music was released on labels like Decca Records, Columbia Records, and Verve Records. His recordings were also influenced by the blues tradition, with musicians like Bessie Smith, Ma Rainey, and Ethel Waters, and the swing music tradition, with musicians like Duke Ellington, Fletcher Henderson, and Don Redman.

Awards and Legacy

Count Basie received numerous awards and accolades throughout his career, including multiple Grammy Awards and a National Medal of Arts from the National Endowment for the Arts. He was also inducted into the DownBeat Jazz Hall of Fame, the Grammy Hall of Fame, and the Big Band and Jazz Hall of Fame. Basie's legacy continues to be felt in the world of jazz and beyond, with his music influencing a wide range of musicians, from Oscar Peterson and Herbie Hancock to Quincy Jones and Wynton Marsalis. His orchestra continues to perform and record to this day, with musicians like Frank Foster and Carmen Bradford, and his music remains a beloved part of American jazz heritage, with performances at venues like the Savoy Ballroom and Carnegie Hall.

Personal Life

Count Basie was married to Catherine Morgan and had one daughter, Diane Basie. He was known for his warm and generous personality, and was beloved by his fellow musicians and fans alike, including Lester Young, Buck Clayton, and Satchmo. Basie was also a prolific composer and arranger, and his music reflected his experiences and influences, from the blues tradition to the swing music tradition. He passed away on April 26, 1984, in Hollywood, Florida, but his legacy continues to be celebrated through his music and the Count Basie Orchestra, which remains one of the most influential and successful jazz bands of all time, with performances at venues like the Hollywood Bowl and the Newport Jazz Festival. Category:Jazz musicians