Count Basie
Actor
Biography
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".
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Filmography
Cinderfella
as Count Basie 1960
Louis Armstrong's Black & Blues
as Self (voice) (archive sound) 2022
Billie
as self 2020
Stage Door Canteen
as Count Basie 1943
Sid & Judy
as Self (archive footage) 2019
Piano Blues
as Self (archive footage) 2003
Jamboree!
as Count Basie 1957
Air Mail Special
as Self 1941
Charlie Parker: Bird Songs
as Self (archive footage) 2022
The Last Of The Blue Devils - The Kansas City Jazz Story
as Self 1979
Rhythm and Blues Revue
as Self 1955
Crazy House
as Count Basie 1943
Count Basie: Through His Own Eyes
2020
Rat Pack
as Self (archive footage) 2022
Norman Granz’ Jazz in Montreaux presents Ella and Basie '79—"The Perfect Match"
as Sself (Piano, Conductor) 1979
The Harlem Renaissance
as Self (archive footage) 2004