Count Basie
Actor
Born August 21, 1904 in Red Bank, New Jersey, USA
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.
Filmography
Ebony Parade
(archive footage)
Louis Armstrong's Black & Blues
Self (voice) (archive sound)
Rat Pack
Self (archive footage)
Charlie Parker: Bird Songs
Self (archive footage)
Billie
self
Count Basie: Through His Own Eyes
Sid & Judy
Self (archive footage)
Jazz Legends in Their Own Words
Self (archive footage)
Music Inn
Himself (archive footage)
Jazz Icons: Count Basie Live in '62
Himself
Sentimental Journey
Judy Garland Duets
Self (archive footage)
The Harlem Renaissance
Self (archive footage)
Improvisation
Self
Piano Blues
Self (archive footage)
Bluesland: A Portrait in American Music
Self (archive footage)
Frank Sinatra: The Man and His Music
Self
Count Basie At Carnegie Hall
Self
The Big Show
Self
The Last of the Blue Devils
Self
Norman Granz’ Jazz in Montreaux presents Ella and Basie '79—"The Perfect Match"
Sself (Piano, Conductor)
The Kennedy Center Honors
Self
Blazing Saddles
Self
ABC Stage 67
Self
Made in Paris
Count Basie
Frank Sinatra Spectacular
Self
The Hollywood Palace
Self - Pianist
The Judy Garland Show
Self
The Merv Griffin Show
Self
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
Self
The Mike Douglas Show
Self
Cinderfella
Count Basie
Astaire Time
Self
Startime
Self
Jamboree!
Count Basie
The Dinah Shore Chevy Show
Self
The Steve Allen Show
Self - Conductor
Rhythm and Blues Revue
Self
Basie Boogie
The Ed Sullivan Show
Self
Killer Diller
Crazy House
Count Basie
Top Man
Orchestra Leader
Stage Door Canteen
Count Basie
Air Mail Special
Self
Take Me Back, Baby
Policy Man
Count Basie