Count Basie
Known for: Acting
Born: August 21, 1904
Died: April 26, 1984
Place of birth: 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. 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.
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Filmography
38 movies · 13 TV shows, newest first
6.7
Louis Armstrong's Black & Blues
2022
9.0
Rat Pack
2022
6.8
Charlie Parker: Bird Songs
2022
6.9
Billie
2020
7.0
Count Basie: Through His Own Eyes
2020
7.4
Sid & Judy
2019
NR
Jazz Legends in Their Own Words
2014NR
All-Star Jazz Show: Live from The Ed Sullivan Theater
2011
10.0
Music Inn
2007
NR
Jazz Icons: Count Basie Live in '62
2006
NR
Sentimental Journey
2006
NR
Judy Garland Duets
2005
6.0
The Harlem Renaissance
2004
NR
Improvisation
2004
6.5
Piano Blues
20037.0
New York in the Fifties
2001
7.5
Bluesland: A Portrait in American Music
1993
NR
Frank Sinatra: The Man and His Music
1981
10.0
Count Basie At Carnegie Hall
1981
9.0
The Big Show
1980
8.0
The Last of the Blue Devils
1979
8.0
Norman Granz’ Jazz in Montreaux presents Ella and Basie '79—"The Perfect Match"
1979
7.4
The Kennedy Center Honors
1978
7.2
Blazing Saddles
1974
6.8
ABC Stage 67
1966
4.9
Made in Paris
1966
9.0
Frank Sinatra Spectacular
1965
5.0
The Hollywood Palace
1964
8.2
The Judy Garland Show
1963
6.8
The Merv Griffin Show
1962
7.5
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
1962
5.8
The Mike Douglas Show
1961
6.1
Cinderfella
1960
8.0
Astaire Time
1960
6.8
Startime
1959
5.4
Jamboree!
1957
6.4
The Dinah Shore Chevy Show
1956
6.2
The Steve Allen Show
1956
6.8
Rhythm and Blues Revue
19559.0
'Sugar Chile' Robinson, Billie Holiday, Count Basie and His Sextet
1951
NR
Basie Boogie
19507.0
Cavalcade of Bands
1950
6.8
The Ed Sullivan Show
1948
5.3
Killer Diller
1948
6.0
Crazy House
1943
9.0
Top Man
1943
6.3
Stage Door Canteen
1943
6.4
Air Mail Special
1941
7.0
Take Me Back, Baby
1941
8.0
Policy Man
1938
7.0
Ebony Parade
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