Count Basie
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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 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, Dennis Rowland, 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". Description above from the Wikipedia article Count Basie, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.
Known for
Credits
Blazing Saddles (1974)
as Self
Cinderfella (1960)
as Count Basie
Rat Pack (2022)
as Self (archive footage)
Sid & Judy (2019)
as Self (archive footage)
Stage Door Canteen (1943)
as Count Basie
Louis Armstrong's Black & Blues (2022)
as Self (voice) (archive sound)
Made in Paris (1966)
as Count Basie
Jazz Legends in Their Own Words (2014)
as Self (archive footage)
Frank Sinatra Spectacular (1965)
as Self
Top Man (1943)
as Orchestra Leader
Piano Blues (2003)
as Self (archive footage)
Crazy House (1943)
as Count Basie
Jamboree! (1957)
as Count Basie
Charlie Parker: Bird Songs (2022)
as Self (archive footage)
Judy Garland Duets (2005)
as Self (archive footage)
Rhythm and Blues Revue (1955)
as Self
Billie (2020)
as self
Astaire Time (1960)
as Self
New York in the Fifties (2001)
as Self
Frank Sinatra: The Man and His Music (1981)
as Self
The Last of the Blue Devils (1979)
as Self
Count Basie: Through His Own Eyes (2020)
Actor
Bluesland: A Portrait in American Music (1993)
as Self (archive footage)
Air Mail Special (1941)
as Self
Improvisation (2004)
as Self
The Harlem Renaissance (2004)
as Self (archive footage)
Norman Granz’ Jazz in Montreaux presents Ella and Basie '79—"The Perfect Match" (1979)
as Sself (Piano, Conductor)
'Sugar Chile' Robinson, Billie Holiday, Count Basie and His Sextet (1951)
Actor
Music Inn (2007)
as Himself (archive footage)
Ebony Parade (—)
as (archive footage)
Jazz Icons: Count Basie Live in '62 (2006)
as Himself
Policy Man (1938)
as Count Basie
Count Basie At Carnegie Hall (1981)
as Self
All-Star Jazz Show: Live from The Ed Sullivan Theater (2011)
as Self
Take Me Back, Baby (1941)
Actor
Basie Boogie (1950)
Actor