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Count Basie

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William “Count” Basie (21 August 1904–26 April 1984) was a jazz pianist, organist, composer, and bandleader.

As a pianist, he had a distinctive and influential style (the song title “Splanky” is an onomatopoetic reference to the sound of his playing), equally at home in the barrelhouse and the concert hall. Willie “The Lion” Smith, James P. Johnson, and Fats Waller were among his influences.

As a bandleader, he created an organization (built upon the remains of Bennie Moten’s Kansas City Orchestra) that was a favorite both of dancers and of vocalists such as Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, and Sarah Vaughan, and of course Billie Holiday. Equally important, it kept many musicians employed through lean years. Many jazz musicians of note built their chops and earned their bread and butter in Basie’s organization.

In addition to Basie, the swinging “All American Rhythm Section” of his orchestra included greats such as Walter Page (bass), Jo Jones (drums), and Freddie Green (guitar). It was the greatest, most swinging rhythm sections in the history of jazz. Chief among its vocalists were, first, Jimmy Rushing and, later, Joe Williams. Over the years it boasted sidemen and soloists like Herschel Evans (tenor sax), Lester Young (tenor sax), Eddie “Lockjaw” Davis (tenor sax), Buddy Tate (tenor sax), Illinois Jacquet (tenor sax), Earle Warren (alto sax)

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jazz, swing, big band, piano, blues
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Lord_Talron wrote:
23 days ago

love you count!

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strajnic wrote:
September 2009

Listen to Count Basie and Big Joe Turner album "The Bosses" if you want to know what is real blues!

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Albi3000 wrote:
August 2009

He had the best trumpet section ever.

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sergeeo wrote:
July 2009

He creado un grupo en español para jazzeros, que no encontré nada cuando busqué... ¡Echadle un ojo y apuntaros si os apetece! "http://www.lastfm.es/group/Jazz+[español]"

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F_Hole wrote:
June 2009

I only got to see The Man once, right before he took his final break. He was awesome right up to the end.

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4Heather wrote:
May 2009

Friday May 22 in Walnut Creek, CA The Count Basie Orchestra featuring vocalist Jamie Davis. A Benefit for the Generations in Jazz Tickets available online at: www.lesherartscenter.org or phone 925-943-show Ticket prices $17.50, $35 & V.I.P. $50 includes preferred seating and FREE CD. Produced by Sam Beler for Unity Music: www.unity-music.net WALNUT CREEK PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 1801 LACASSIE AVENUE, Walnut Creek, California 94596

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blackfeet2008 wrote:
March 2009

TAKING IT EASY SON..........

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Ex_5 wrote:
February 2009

Count you're ALIVE man :)

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thelikeyoung wrote:
February 2009

:] good stuff

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christianchinas wrote:
February 2009

CALLENSE PUTOS

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sebastiano_riva wrote:
January 2009

Great Sound!

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Cacophonaut wrote:
December 2008

steakboy, you lukcy bastard.

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cheruj wrote:
November 2008

nice picture

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gkankava wrote:
October 2008

love his items.

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Eric_Blair wrote:
October 2008

Get exclusive tour, release & promotion updates on Count Basie from Universal Music.

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Oleg_Tr wrote:
October 2008

На фестивале "Черное море" в Сочи я был на концерте Каунта Бейси. Вышел тогда потрясенным. Вообще не понимаю, как так произошло, что при такой культуре, при такой музыке и музыкантах в Штатах появился и теперь рулит хип-хоп?!! Уму не постижимо.

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SirAlecHendrix wrote:
September 2008

Count Basie—now connected to the brandnew group ➤ Round Midnight

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steakboy wrote:
August 2008

probably the concert i feel most fortunate to have seen: fall 1983, was in boston checking out colleges, basie orch. just happened to be in town. my aunt snagged tickets, we were mere feet from the stage. lights go down, curtains go up, his assistant brings the man to the piano in a wheelchair; five months later, he was gone. what a screaming band.

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Ohthehumanity wrote:
July 2008

i mean April in Paris. I am just cruising around looking for some jazz right now.

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Ohthehumanity wrote:
July 2008

holy shit, i just realized this is in GTA 4.

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