1984
Count Basie, American pianist, composer, and bandleader (born 1904)
Count Basie, American pianist, composer, and bandleader (born 1904)
Count Basie
American jazz musician and composer (1904–1984)
- Died
- 1984
William James "Count" Basie 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.