Person
Count Basie
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 Orche…
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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
Movies and shows, newest first
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2022
Louis Armstrong's Black & Blues
Movie Self (voice) (archive sound)
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2022
Rat Pack
Movie Self (archive footage)
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2022
Charlie Parker: Bird Songs
Movie Self (archive footage)
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2020
Billie
Movie self
- 2020
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2019
Sid & Judy
Movie Self (archive footage)
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2014
Jazz Legends in Their Own Words
Movie Self (archive footage)
- 2011
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2007
Music Inn
Movie Himself (archive footage)
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2006
Jazz Icons: Count Basie Live in '62
Movie Himself
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2006
Sentimental Journey
Movie In Memory Of
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2005
Judy Garland Duets
Movie Self (archive footage)
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2004
Improvisation
Movie Self
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2004
The Harlem Renaissance
Movie Self (archive footage)
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2003
Piano Blues
Movie Self (archive footage)
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2001
New York in the Fifties
Movie Self
More credits
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1993
Bluesland: A Portrait in American Music
Movie Self (archive footage)
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1981
Frank Sinatra: The Man and His Music
Movie Self
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1981
Count Basie At Carnegie Hall
Movie Self
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1980
The Big Show
TV show Self
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1979
The Last of the Blue Devils
Movie Self
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1979
Norman Granz’ Jazz in Montreaux presents Ella and Basie '79—"The Perfect Match"
Movie Sself (Piano, Conductor)
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1978
The Kennedy Center Honors
TV show Self
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1974
Blazing Saddles
Movie Count Basie
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1966
ABC Stage 67
TV show Self
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1966
Made in Paris
Movie Count Basie
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1965
Frank Sinatra Spectacular
Movie Self
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1964
The Hollywood Palace
TV show Self - Pianist
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1963
The Judy Garland Show
TV show Self
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1962
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
TV show Self
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1962
The Merv Griffin Show
TV show Self
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1961
The Mike Douglas Show
TV show Self
-
1960
Cinderfella
Movie Count Basie
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1960
Astaire Time
Movie Self
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1959
Startime
TV show Self
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1957
Jamboree!
Movie Count Basie
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1956
The Dinah Shore Chevy Show
TV show Self
-
1956
The Steve Allen Show
TV show Self - Conductor
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1955
Rhythm and Blues Revue
Movie Self
- 1951
