Count Basie
- Known for
- Acting
- Born
- August 21, 1904
- Died
- April 26, 1984
- Birthplace
- 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.
Filmography
Ebony Parade TBA
as (archive footage)
Louis Armstrong's Black & Blues 2022
as Self (voice) (archive sound)
Rat Pack 2022
as Self (archive footage)
Charlie Parker: Bird Songs 2022
as Self (archive footage)
Billie 2020
as self
Count Basie: Through His Own Eyes 2020
Actor
Sid & Judy 2019
as Self (archive footage)
Jazz Legends in Their Own Words 2014
as Self (archive footage)
- All-Star Jazz Show: Live from The Ed Sullivan Theater
All-Star Jazz Show: Live from The Ed Sullivan Theater 2011
as Self
Music Inn 2007
as Himself (archive footage)
Jazz Icons: Count Basie Live in '62 2006
as Himself
Sentimental Journey 2006
In Memory Of
Judy Garland Duets 2005
as Self (archive footage)
Improvisation 2004
as Self
The Harlem Renaissance 2004
as Self (archive footage)
Piano Blues 2003
as Self (archive footage)
- New York in the Fifties
New York in the Fifties 2001
as Self
Bluesland: A Portrait in American Music 1993
as Self (archive footage)
Frank Sinatra: The Man and His Music 1981
as Self
Count Basie At Carnegie Hall 1981
as Self
The Last of the Blue Devils 1979
as Self
Norman Granz’ Jazz in Montreaux presents Ella and Basie '79—"The Perfect Match" 1979
as Sself (Piano, Conductor)
Blazing Saddles 1974
as Count Basie
Made in Paris 1966
as Count Basie
Frank Sinatra Spectacular 1965
as Self
Cinderfella 1960
as Count Basie
Astaire Time 1960
as Self
Jamboree! 1957
as Count Basie
Rhythm and Blues Revue 1955
as Self
- 'Sugar Chile' Robinson, Billie Holiday, Count Basie and His Sextet
'Sugar Chile' Robinson, Billie Holiday, Count Basie and His Sextet 1951
Actor
Basie Boogie 1950
Actor
Killer Diller 1948
Original Music Composer
Crazy House 1943
as Count Basie
Top Man 1943
as Orchestra Leader
Stage Door Canteen 1943
as Count Basie
Take Me Back, Baby 1941
Actor
Policy Man 1938
as Count Basie
Credits from TMDB.