Acting · Red Bank, New Jersey, USA · Born August 21, 1904
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.
MovieLouis Armstrong's Black & Blues
2022
as Self (voice) (archive sound)
MovieRat Pack
2022
as Self (archive footage)
MovieCharlie Parker: Bird Songs
2022
as Self (archive footage)
MovieBillie
2020
as self
MovieCount Basie: Through His Own Eyes
2020
MovieSid & Judy
2019
as Self (archive footage)
MovieJazz Legends in Their Own Words
2014
as Self (archive footage)
All-Star Jazz Show: Live from The Ed Sullivan Theater
2011
as Self
MovieMusic Inn
2007
as Himself (archive footage)
MovieJazz Icons: Count Basie Live in '62
2006
as Himself
MovieJudy Garland Duets
2005
as Self (archive footage)
MovieThe Harlem Renaissance
2004
as Self (archive footage)
MovieImprovisation
2004
as Self
MoviePiano Blues
2003
as Self (archive footage)
New York in the Fifties
2001
as Self
MovieBluesland: A Portrait in American Music
1993
as Self (archive footage)
MovieFrank Sinatra: The Man and His Music
1981
as Self
MovieCount Basie At Carnegie Hall
1981
as Self
TVThe Big Show
1980
as Self
MovieThe Last of the Blue Devils
1979
as Self
MovieNorman Granz’ Jazz in Montreaux presents Ella and Basie '79—"The Perfect Match"
1979
as Sself (Piano, Conductor)
TVThe Kennedy Center Honors
1978
as Self
MovieBlazing Saddles
1974
as Self
TVABC Stage 67
1966
as Self
MovieMade in Paris
1966
as Count Basie
MovieFrank Sinatra Spectacular
1965
as Self
TVThe Hollywood Palace
1964
as Self - Pianist
TVThe Judy Garland Show
1963
as Self
TVThe Merv Griffin Show
1962
as Self
TVThe Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
1962
as Self
TVThe Mike Douglas Show
1961
as Self
MovieCinderfella
1960
as Count Basie
MovieAstaire Time
1960
as Self
TVStartime
1959
as Self
MovieJamboree!
1957
as Count Basie
TVThe Dinah Shore Chevy Show
1956
as Self
TVThe Steve Allen Show
1956
as Self - Conductor
MovieRhythm and Blues Revue
1955
as Self
'Sugar Chile' Robinson, Billie Holiday, Count Basie and His Sextet
1951
MovieBasie Boogie
1950
Cavalcade of Bands
1950
TVThe Ed Sullivan Show
1948
as Self
MovieCrazy House
1943
as Count Basie
MovieTop Man
1943
as Orchestra Leader
MovieStage Door Canteen
1943
as Count Basie
MovieAir Mail Special
1941
as Self
MovieTake Me Back, Baby
1941
MoviePolicy Man
1938
as Count Basie
MovieEbony Parade
as (archive footage)
