Count Basie
Born
William Basie
Also Known As
- The Count Basie Orchestra
- The Kansas City Seven
Years
1904 - 1984
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Styles
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Pianist whose blues-based, hard-swinging big band emerged from Kansas City in the 1930s to achieve worldwide recognition as one of the most important jazz bands of all time.
Big band leader whose blues-based swing recordings led him from Kansas City gin joints of the 1930s to national broadcast fame and worldwide recognition. Well-known recordings included "One O'Clock Jump," "Cute," and "April in Paris," as well as collaborations in the 1960s and 70s with Frank Sinatra, Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, and the Mills Brothers. His spare piano accents are immediately identifiable and widely imitated. Performers associated with his band included saxophonists Herschel Evans and Lester Young, trumpet players Buck Clayton and Harry "Sweets" Edison, singers Jimmy Rushing and Joe Williams, guitarist Freddie Green and drummer Jo Jones. Arangers associated with the band included Neal Hefti, Sammy Nestico and Quincy Jones.
Basie died in 1984. Both an official Count Basie Orchestra led by trombonist Grover Mitchell and a second band led by Edison and saxophonist Frank Wess have continued to tour and record into the 2000s.