by Chris Howell
Count Basie (1904–1984) was an influential American jazz pianist, bandleader, and composer. Born in Red Bank, New Jersey.
Count Basie (1904–1984) was an influential American jazz pianist, bandleader, and composer. Born in Red Bank, New Jersey, he began his career in vaudeville before joining Walter Page's Blue Devils in the late 1920s and eventually taking over Bennie Moten's band in Kansas City. Basie is renowned for his minimalist piano style and his ability to lead one of the most swinging big bands in jazz history. In 1935, he formed the Count Basie Orchestra, which became famous for hits like "One O'Clock Jump" and "Jumpin' at the Woodside." Throughout his career, Basie collaborated with many jazz greats, including Billie Holiday, Lester Young, and Frank Sinatra. His innovative use of rhythm, bluesy riffs, and improvisation helped shape the swing era and left a lasting legacy in the world of jazz. Basie's career spanned over five decades, earning him multiple Grammy Awards and cementing his status as a jazz legend.
