Actor

Count Basie

Born August 21, 1904 in Red Bank, New Jersey, USADied April 26, 198412 films

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".

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The best way into Count Basie's work

First watchBlazing Saddles19747.2as Count BasieCrafty railroad worker Bart becomes the first Black sheriff of Rock Ridge, a frontier town about to be destroyed in order to make way for a new railroad.View film

Essential films

Ranked by acclaim and reach

6.2Cinderfella1960

Filmography

12 films as actor

1979Norman Granz’ Jazz in Montreaux presents Ella and Basie '79—"The Perfect Match"Sself (Piano, Conductor)
1974Blazing SaddlesCount Basie
1966Made in ParisCount Basie
1960CinderfellaCount Basie
1957Jamboree!Count Basie
1951'Sugar Chile' Robinson, Billie Holiday, Count Basie and His Sextet
1950Basie Boogie
1943Crazy HouseCount Basie
1943Top ManOrchestra Leader
1943Stage Door CanteenCount Basie
1941Take Me Back, Baby
1938Policy ManCount Basie