Pianists · 1904–1984
Count Basie
American jazz musician and composer (1904–1984)
- Born
- 21 August 1904
Red Bank - Died
- 26 April 1984
Hollywood - Country
- United States
- Active
- 1924–1984
- Record labels
- Decca, RCA Records, Mercury Records, Apex
- Discography
- 88 albums
Biography
Count Basie was a jazz musician who played piano, organ, Hammond organ and jazz piano. Count Basie was born on 21 August 1904 in Red Bank and died on 26 April 1984 in Hollywood. The music is usually filed under jazz, swing and big band music. Record labels: Decca, RCA Records, Mercury Records and Apex. The discography here lists 88 albums, from “Basie Roars Again” (1956) to “Four Classic Albums” (2024). Honours include Grammy Award for Best Jazz Instrumental Album (1958), Grammy Award for Best Performance by an Orchestra – for Dancing (1958) and Grammy Award for Best Jazz Performance (1976).
William James "Count" Basie (; 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.
Read the full article on Wikipedia ↗ · From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Discography
Studio and live albums
Also plays on
Albums where Count Basie is credited as a sideman
Awards
- 1958 Grammy Award for Best Jazz Instrumental Album
- 1958 Grammy Award for Best Performance by an Orchestra – for Dancing
- 1976 Grammy Award for Best Jazz Performance
- 1977 Grammy Award for Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album
- 1980 Grammy Trustees Award
- 1981 Kennedy Center Honors
- 1982 star on Hollywood Walk of Fame
- 1983 NEA Jazz Masters
- 1985 Presidential Medal of Freedom
- 2001 Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award
- 2010 New Jersey Hall of Fame
- 2011 Kansas Music Hall of Fame
Historic 78 rpm records
- JUMP FOR ME COUNT BASIE AND HIS ORCH. · Ed Lewis · Harry Edison · Buck Clayton ·… archive.org ↗
- THE WORLD IS MAD COUNT BASIE'S ORCHESTRA · Lester Young · Buddy Tate · Ed Lewis, H… archive.org ↗
- LADY BE GOOD LESTER YOUNG · COUNT BASIE'S KANSAS CITY SEVEN · Lester Young · Carl… archive.org ↗
- THE WORLD IS MAD COUNT BASIE'S ORCHESTRA · Lester Young · Buddy Tate · Ed Lewis, H… archive.org ↗
- Baby, Don't Tell On Me COUNT BASIE & HIS ORCH. · Jimmy Rushing · Young · Basie · Rushing archive.org ↗
- Baby, Don't Tell On Me COUNT BASIE & HIS ORCH. · Jimmy Rushing · Young · Basie · Rushing archive.org ↗
- Rock-A-Bye Basie COUNT BASIE & HIS ORCH. · Collins · Young · Basie archive.org ↗
- Rock-A-Bye Basie COUNT BASIE & HIS ORCH. · Collins · Young · Basie archive.org ↗
Books about Count Basie
Listen on Spotify
Frequently asked questions
What instrument did Count Basie play?
Count Basie is known for playing piano, organ, Hammond organ and jazz piano.
When and where was Count Basie born?
Count Basie was born 21 August 1904 in Red Bank.
What are Count Basie's best-known albums?
Albums in our database include Basie Roars Again (1956), King of Swing (1956), Pop Goes The Basie (1956), The Greatest! Count Basie Plays...Joe Williams Sings Standards (1956) and At Newport (1957).
External links
- en.wikipedia.org ↗
- de.wikipedia.org ↗
- it.wikipedia.org ↗
- wikidata.org ↗
- musicbrainz.org ↗
- discogs.com ↗
- allmusic.com ↗
Data compiled from open sources; see the source links below. Spotted an error? Let us know.