Count Basie

William "Count" Basie (August 21, 1904 – April 26, 1984) was an American jazz pianist, organist, bandleader, and composer. Basie led his jazz orchestra almost continuously for nearly 50 years. Many notable musicians came to prominence under his direction, including tenor saxophonists Lester Young and Herschel Evans, trumpeters Buck Clayton and Harry "Sweets" Edison and singers Jimmy Rushing and Joe Williams. Basie's theme songs were "One O'Clock Jump" and "April In Par

                         ABRIL IN PARIS  VIDEO

                CARNEGIE HALL  VIDEO LIVE

William James Basie was born to Harvey Lee Basie, and Lillian Ann Childs, who lived on Mechanic Street in Red Bank, New Jersey.

His father worked as a coachman and caretaker for a wealthy judge.

After automobiles replaced horses, his father became a groundskeeper and handyman for several families in the area.

          JERRY LEWIS   VIDEO

His mother, a piano player who gave Basie his first piano lessons, took in laundry and baked cakes for sale and paid 25 cents a lesson for piano instruction for him.

   COUNT BASIE AND OSCAR PETERSON VIDEO

           MEETS  CLARK TERRY  VIDEO