Count Basie: the 100 most inspiring musicians of all time
American jazz musician William Basie, (b. Aug. 21, 1904, Red Bank, N.J., U.S.—d. April 26, 1984, Hollywood, Fla.) popularly known as “Count,” was noted for his spare, economical piano style and for his leadership of influential and widely heralded big bands.
Basie studied music with his mother and was later influenced by the Harlem pianists James P. Johnson and Fats Waller, receiving informal tutelage on the organ from the latter. He began his professional career as an accompanist on the vaudeville circuit. Stranded in Kansas City,
Mo., in 1927, Basie remained there and in 1935 assumed the leadership of a nine-piece band composed of former members of the Walter Page and Bennie Moten orchestras.
One night, while the band was broadcasting on a shortwave radio station in Kansas City, he was dubbed “Count” Basie by a radio announcer who wanted to indicate his standing in a class with aristocrats of jazz such as
Duke Ellington. Jazz critic and record producer John Hammond heard the broadcasts and promptly launched the band on its career. Though rooted in the riff style of the 1930s swing-era big bands, the Basie orchestra played
with the forceful drive and carefree swing of a small combo.
They were considered a model for ensemble rhythmic conception and tonal balance—this despite the fact that most of Basie’s sidemen in the 1930s were poor sight readers; mostly, the band relied on “head” arrangements (so called because the band had collectively composed and memorized them, rather than using sheet music).
The early Basie band was also noted for its legendary soloists and outstanding rhythm section. It featured such jazzmen as tenor saxophonists Lester Young and Herschel Evans, trumpeters Buck Clayton and Harry “Sweets” Edison, and trombonists Benny Morton and Dicky Wells. The legendary Billie Holiday was a vocalist with Basie for a short stint (1937–38), although she was unable to record with the band because of her contract with another record label; mostly, vocals were handled by Jimmy Rushing. The rhythm unit for the band—pianist Basie, guitarist Freddie Green (who joined the Basie band in 1937 and stayed for 50
years), bassist Walter Page, and drummer Jo Jones—was unique in its lightness, precision, and relaxation, becoming the precursor for modern jazz accompanying styles.
Basie began his career as a stride pianist, reflecting the influence of Johnson and Waller, but the style most strongly associated with him was characterized by spareness and precision. Whereas other pianists were noted for technical flash and dazzling dexterity, Basie was known for his use of silence and for reducing his solo passages to the minimum amount of notes required for maximum emotional and rhythmic effect.
The Basie orchestra had several hit recordings during the late 1930s and early ’40s, among them “Jumpin’ at the Woodside,” “Every Tub,” “Lester Leaps In,” “Super Chief,” “Taxi War Dance,” “Miss Thing,” “Shorty George,” and “One O’Clock Jump,” the band’s biggest hit and theme song. It had continued success throughout the war years, but, like all big bands, it had declined in popularity by the end of the 1940s.
During 1950 and ’51, economy forced Basie to front an octet, the only period in his career in which he did not lead a big band. In 1952 increased demand for personal appearances allowed Basie to form a new orchestra that in many ways was as highly praised as his bands of the 1930s and ’40s. (Fans distinguish the two major eras in Basie bands as the “Old Testament” and “New Testament.”)
Browse in the Library:
| Artist or Composer / Score name | Cover | List of Contents |
|---|---|---|
| Aebersold Phil Degreg – Jazz keyboard harmony – A practical method for all musicians |
 |
jazz keyboard harmony |
| Aebersold RAPID REFERENCE | Aebersold RAPID REFERENCE | |
| Aebersold vol 1 Cómo improvisar y tocar JAZZ Spanish edition – Español |
 |
Aebersold vol 1 Cómo improvisar y tocar JAZZ Spanish edition |
| Aebersold Vol. 01 – Jazz improvisation A New Approach To Jazz Improvisation |
 |
Aebersold Vol. 01 – Jazz improvisation |
| Aebersold Vol. 60 Dan Haerle & Mark Levine – Jazz Piano Voicings |
 |
|
| Aebersold, Jamey Jazz Play Along Book + Audio Mp3 – All complete Chick Corea | ||
| Aebersold, Jamey Jazz Play Along Book + Audio Mp3 – Vol 02 – Nothin’ But Blues | Jazz Play Along Vol 002 – [Nothin’ But Blues] | |
| Aebersold, Jamey Jazz Play Along Book + Audio Mp3 – Vol 03 – The II-V7-I Progression | Jazz Play Along Vol 003 – [The II-V7-I Progression] | |
| Aebersold, Jamey Jazz Play Along Book + Audio Mp3 – Vol 04 – Movin’ On | Jazz Play Along Vol 004 – [Movin’ On] | |
| Aebersold, Jamey Jazz Play Along Book + Audio Mp3 – Vol 05 – Time To Play Music! | Jazz Play Along Vol 005 – [Time To Play Music!] | |
| Aebersold, Jamey Jazz Play Along Book + Audio Mp3 – Vol 06 – Charlie Parker | Jazz Play Along Vol 006 – [Charlie Parker – All Bird] | |
| Aebersold, Jamey Jazz Play Along Book + Audio Mp3 – Vol 07 – Miles Davis |
 |
Jazz Play Along Vol 007 – [Miles Davis] |
| Aebersold, Jamey Jazz Play Along Book + Audio Mp3 – Vol 08 – Sonny Rollins | Jazz Play Along Vol 008 – [Sonny Rollins] | |
| Aebersold, Jamey Jazz Play Along Book + Audio Mp3 – Vol 09 – Woody Shaw | Jazz Play Along Vol 009 – [Woody Shaw] | |
| Aebersold, Jamey Jazz Play Along Book + Audio Mp3 – Vol 10 – David Baker | Jazz Play Along Vol 010 – [David Baker] | |
| Aebersold, Jamey Jazz Play Along Book + Audio Mp3 – Vol 100 – St. Louis Blues | Jazz Play Along Vol 011 – [Herbie Hancock] | |
| Aebersold, Jamey Jazz Play Along Book + Audio Mp3 – Vol 101 – Secret of the Andes | Jazz Play Along Vol 012 – [Duke Ellington] | |
| Aebersold, Jamey Jazz Play Along Book + Audio Mp3 – Vol 102 – Jerry Bergonzi | Jazz Play Along Vol 102 – [Jerry Bergonzi] | |
| Aebersold, Jamey Jazz Play Along Book + Audio Mp3 – Vol 103 – David Sanborn | Jazz Play Along Vol 103 – [David Sanborn] | |
| Aebersold, Jamey Jazz Play Along Book + Audio Mp3 – Vol 104 – Kenny Werner | Jazz Play Along Vol 104 – [Free Play – 13 Musical Landscapes] | |
| Aebersold, Jamey Jazz Play Along Book + Audio Mp3 – Vol 105 – Dave Brubeck | Jazz Play Along Vol 105 – [Dave Brubeck] | |
| Aebersold, Jamey Jazz Play Along Book + Audio Mp3 – Vol 106 – Lee Morgan | Jazz Play Along Vol 106 – [Lee Morgan] | |
| Aebersold, Jamey Jazz Play Along Book + Audio Mp3 – Vol 107 – STANDARDS FOR SINGERS | Jazz Play Along Vol 109 [Fusion] Jazz Play Along Vol 110 [When i Fall in Love] Aebersold – Vol 107 – IT HAD TO BE YOU | |
| Aebersold, Jamey Jazz Play Along Book + Audio Mp3 – Vol 108 – Joe Henderson | Jazz Play Along Vol 108 – [Joe Henderson] – C-Bb | |
| Aebersold, Jamey Jazz Play Along Book + Audio Mp3 – Vol 109 – Fusion | Jazz Play Along Vol 109 [Fusion] | |
| Aebersold, Jamey Jazz Play Along Book + Audio Mp3 – Vol 11 – Herbie Hancock | Jazz Play Along Vol 011 – [Herbie Hancock] | |
| Aebersold, Jamey Jazz Play Along Book + Audio Mp3 – Vol 111 – J.J. Johnson | Aebersold, Jamey Jazz Play Along Book + Audio Mp3 – Vol 111 – J.J. Johnson | |
| Aebersold, Jamey Jazz Play Along Book + Audio Mp3 – Vol 112 – [Cole Porter] |
 |
Aebersold, Jamey Jazz Play Along Book + Audio Mp3 – Vol 112 – [Cole Porter]_compressed |
| Aebersold, Jamey Jazz Play Along Book + Audio Mp3 – vol 115 – Ron Carter | Aebersold, Jamey Jazz Play Along Book + Audio Mp3 – vol 115 – Ron Carter | |
| Aebersold, Jamey Jazz Play Along Book + Audio Mp3 – Vol 12 – Duke Ellington | Jazz Play Along Vol 012 – [Duke Ellington] | |
| Aebersold, Jamey Jazz Play Along Book + Audio Mp3 – Vol 13 – Cannonball Adderley | Jazz Play Along Vol 013 – [Cannonball Adderley] | |
| Aebersold, Jamey Jazz Play Along Book + Audio Mp3 – Vol 14 – Benny Golson | Aebersold – Vol 14 – Benny Golson | |
| Aebersold, Jamey Jazz Play Along Book + Audio Mp3 – Vol 15 – Payin’ Dues | Aebersold – Vol 15 – Payin’ Dues | |
| Aebersold, Jamey Jazz Play Along Book + Audio Mp3 – Vol 15 – Payin’ Dues – Complete Bass Lines | Aebersold – Vol 15 – Payin’ Dues – Complete Bass Lines | |
| Aebersold, Jamey Jazz Play Along Book + Audio Mp3 – Vol 16 -Turnarounds, Cycles & II V7’s | Jazz Play Along Vol 016 – [Turnarounds, Cycles & II-V7’s] | |
| Aebersold, Jamey Jazz Play Along Book + Audio Mp3 – Vol 17 – Horace Silver | Jazz Play Along Vol 017 – [Horace Silver] | |
| Aebersold, Jamey Jazz Play Along Book + Audio Mp3 – Vol 18 – Horace Silver | Jazz Play Along Vol 018 – [Horace Silver] | |
| Aebersold, Jamey Jazz Play Along Book + Audio Mp3 – Vol 19 – David Liebman | Jazz Play Along Vol 019 – [David Liebman] | |
| Aebersold, Jamey Jazz Play Along Book + Audio Mp3 – Vol 20 – Jimmy Raney | Jazz Play Along Vol 020 – [Jimmy Raney] | |
| Aebersold, Jamey Jazz Play Along Book + Audio Mp3 – Vol 21 – Gettin’ It Together (& Supplement) | Jazz Play Along Vol 021 – [Gettin It Together] | |
| Aebersold, Jamey Jazz Play Along Book + Audio Mp3 – Vol 22 – Favorite Standards | Jazz Play Along Vol 022 – [Favorite Standards] | |
| Aebersold, Jamey Jazz Play Along Book + Audio Mp3 – Vol 23 – One Dozen Standards | Jazz Play Along Vol 023 – [One Dozen Standards] | |
| Aebersold, Jamey Jazz Play Along Book + Audio Mp3 – Vol 24 – Major and Minor | Jazz Play Along Vol 024 – [Major and Minor] | |
| Aebersold, Jamey Jazz Play Along Book + Audio Mp3 – Vol 25 – All Time Standards | Jazz Play Along Vol 025 – [All Time Standards] | |
| Aebersold, Jamey Jazz Play Along Book + Audio Mp3 – Vol 26 – Scale Syllabus | Jazz Play Along Vol 026 – [Scale Syllabus] | |
| Aebersold, Jamey Jazz Play Along Book + Audio Mp3 – Vol 27 – John Coltrane | Jazz Play Along Vol 027 – [John Coltrane] | |
| Aebersold, Jamey Jazz Play Along Book + Audio Mp3 – Vol 28 Jazz Play Along Vol 028 – [Giant Steps] | Jazz Play Along Vol 029 – [Play Duets With Jimmy Raney] Jazz Play Along Vol 028 – [Giant Steps] | |
| Aebersold, Jamey Jazz Play Along Book + Audio Mp3 – Vol 29 – Play Duets With Jimmy Raney | Jazz Play Along Vol 029 – [Play Duets With Jimmy Raney] | |
| Aebersold, Jamey Jazz Play Along Book + Audio Mp3 – Vol 30 – Rhythm Section Workout | Jazz Play Along Vol 030 – [Rhythm Section Workout] | |
| Aebersold, Jamey Jazz Play Along Book + Audio Mp3 – Vol 31 – Bossa Novas | Jazz Play Along Vol 031 – [Bossa Novas] | |
| Aebersold, Jamey Jazz Play Along Book + Audio Mp3 – Vol 32 – Ballads | Jazz Play Along Vol 032 – [Ballads] | |
| Aebersold, Jamey Jazz Play Along Book + Audio Mp3 – Vol 33 – Wayne Shorter | Jazz Play Along Vol 033 – [Wayne Shorter] | |
| Aebersold, Jamey Jazz Play Along Book + Audio Mp3 – Vol 34 – Jam Session | Jazz Play Along Vol 034 – [Jam Session] | |
| Aebersold, Jamey Jazz Play Along Book + Audio Mp3 – Vol 35 – Cedar Walton | Jazz Play Along Vol 035 – [Cedar Walton] | |
| Aebersold, Jamey Jazz Play Along Book + Audio Mp3 – Vol 36 – Bebop & Beyond | Jazz Play Along Vol 036 – [Bebop & Beyond] | |
| Aebersold, Jamey Jazz Play Along Book + Audio Mp3 – Vol 37 – Sammy Nestico | Jazz Play Along Vol 037 – [Sammy Nestico] | |
| Aebersold, Jamey Jazz Play Along Book + Audio Mp3 – Vol 38 – Blue Note | Jazz Play Along Vol 038 – [Blue Note] | |
| Aebersold, Jamey Jazz Play Along Book + Audio Mp3 – Vol 39 – Swing Swing Swing | Jazz Play Along Vol 039 – [Swing, Swing, Swing] | |
| Aebersold, Jamey Jazz Play Along Book + Audio Mp3 – Vol 40 – ‘Round Midnight | Jazz Play Along Vol 040 – [‘Round Midnight] | |
| Aebersold, Jamey Jazz Play Along Book + Audio Mp3 – Vol 41 – Body and Soul | Jazz Play Along Vol 041 – [Body and Soul] | Jazz Play Along Vol 041 – [Body and Soul – Jazz Piano Voicings] |
| Aebersold, Jamey Jazz Play Along Book + Audio Mp3 – Vol 42 – Blues in All Keys | Jazz Play Along Vol 042 – [Blues In All Keys] | |
| Aebersold, Jamey Jazz Play Along Book + Audio Mp3 – Vol 44 – [Autumn Leaves] | Jazz Play Along Vol 044 – [Autumn Leaves] | |
| Aebersold, Jamey Jazz Play Along Book + Audio Mp3 – Vol 45 – Bill Evans – COMPLETE | Jazz Play Along Vol 045 – [Bill Evans] | |
| Aebersold, Jamey Jazz Play Along Book + Audio Mp3 – Vol 46 – Out Of This World | Jazz Play Along Vol 046 – [Out Of This World] | |
| Aebersold, Jamey Jazz Play Along Book + Audio Mp3 – Vol 47 – Rhythm changes in all keys | Jazz Play Along Vol 047 – [I Got Rhythm Changes In All Keys] | |
| Aebersold, Jamey Jazz Play Along Book + Audio Mp3 – Vol 48 – In a Mellow Tone | Jazz Play Along Vol 048 – [In A Mellow Tone] | |
| Aebersold, Jamey Jazz Play Along Book + Audio Mp3 – Vol 49 – Sugar | Jazz Play Along Vol 049 – [Sugar] | |
| Aebersold, Jamey Jazz Play Along Book + Audio Mp3 – Vol 50 – The Magic Of Miles | Jazz Play Along Vol 050 – [The Magic of Miles] | |
| Aebersold, Jamey Jazz Play Along Book + Audio Mp3 – Vol 51 – Night And Day | Jazz Play Along Vol 051 – [Night and Day] | |
| Aebersold, Jamey Jazz Play Along Book + Audio Mp3 – Vol 52 – Collector’s Items | Jazz Play Along Vol 052 – [Collector’s Items] | |
| Aebersold, Jamey Jazz Play Along Book + Audio Mp3 – Vol 53 – Clifford Brown | Jazz Play Along Vol 053 – [Clifford Brown] | |
| Aebersold, Jamey Jazz Play Along Book + Audio Mp3 – Vol 54 – Maiden Voyage | Jazz Play Along Vol 054 – [Maiden Voyage] | |
| Aebersold, Jamey Jazz Play Along Book + Audio Mp3 – Vol 55 – Yesterdays -Jerome Kern | Jazz Play Along Vol 055 – [Yesterdays – Jerome Kern] | |
| Aebersold, Jamey Jazz Play Along Book + Audio Mp3 – Vol 56 – Thelonious Monk (Book Cd) | Jazz Play Along Vol 056 – [Thelonious Monk] | |
| Aebersold, Jamey Jazz Play Along Book + Audio Mp3 – Vol 57 – Minor Blues in All 12 Keys | Jazz Play Along Vol 057 – [Minor Blues In All Keys] | |
| Aebersold, Jamey Jazz Play Along Book + Audio Mp3 – Vol 58 – Unforgettable Standards | Jazz Play Along Vol 058 – [Unforgettable Standards] | |
| Aebersold, Jamey Jazz Play Along Book + Audio Mp3 – Vol 59 – Invitation | Jazz Play Along Vol 059 – [Invitation] | |
| Aebersold, Jamey Jazz Play Along Book + Audio Mp3 – Vol 60 – Freddie Hubbard | Jazz Play Along Vol 060 – [Freddie Hubbard] | |
| Aebersold, Jamey Jazz Play Along Book + Audio Mp3 – Vol 61 – Burnin’!!! | Jazz Play Along Vol 061 – [Burnin’] | |
| Aebersold, Jamey Jazz Play Along Book + Audio Mp3 – Vol 62 – Wes Montgomery | Jazz Play Along Vol 062 – [Wes Montgomery] | |
| Aebersold, Jamey Jazz Play Along Book + Audio Mp3 – Vol 63 – Tom Harrel | Jazz Play Along Vol 063 – [Tom Harrell] | |
| Aebersold, Jamey Jazz Play Along Book + Audio Mp3 – Vol 64 – Salsa, Latin Jazz | Jazz Play Along Vol 064 – [Salsa, Latin Jazz] | |
| Aebersold, Jamey Jazz Play Along Book + Audio Mp3 – Vol 65 – Four & More | Jazz Play Along Vol 065 – [Four and More] | |
| Aebersold, Jamey Jazz Play Along Book + Audio Mp3 – Vol 66 – Billy Strayhorn | Jazz Play Along Vol 066 – [Billy Strayhorn] | |
| Aebersold, Jamey Jazz Play Along Book + Audio Mp3 – Vol 67 – Tune Up | Jazz Play Along Vol 067 – [Tune Up] | |
| Aebersold, Jamey Jazz Play Along Book + Audio Mp3 – Vol 68 – Giant Steps | Jazz Play Along Vol 069 – [Bird Goes Latin] | |
| Aebersold, Jamey Jazz Play Along Book + Audio Mp3 – Vol 69 – Bird Goes Latin | Jazz Play Along Vol 069 – [Bird Goes Latin] | |
| Aebersold, Jamey Jazz Play Along Book + Audio Mp3 – Vol 70 – Killer Joe | Jazz Play Along Vol 070 – [Killer Joe] | |
| Aebersold, Jamey Jazz Play Along Book + Audio Mp3 – Vol 71 – East of the Sun | Jazz Play Along Vol 071 – [East Of The Sun] | |
| Aebersold, Jamey Jazz Play Along Book + Audio Mp3 – Vol 72 – Street of Dreams | Jazz Play Along Vol 072 – [Street of Dreams] | |
| Aebersold, Jamey Jazz Play Along Book + Audio Mp3 – Vol 73 – Oliver Nelson – Stolen Moments | Jazz Play Along Vol 073 – [Oliver Nelson (Stolen Moments)] | |
| Aebersold, Jamey Jazz Play Along Book + Audio Mp3 – Vol 74 – Latin Jazz | Jazz Play Along Vol 074 – [Latin Jazz] | |
| Aebersold, Jamey Jazz Play Along Book + Audio Mp3 – Vol 75 – Countdown To Giant Steps | Jazz Play Along Vol 075 – [Countdown to Giant steps] | |
| Aebersold, Jamey Jazz Play Along Book + Audio Mp3 – Vol 76 – How To Learn Tunes | Jazz Play Along Vol 076 – [How to Learn Tunes] | |
| Aebersold, Jamey Jazz Play Along Book + Audio Mp3 – Vol 77 – Paquito D’Rivera | Jazz Play Along Vol 077 – [Paquito D’Rivera] | |
| Aebersold, Jamey Jazz Play Along Book + Audio Mp3 – Vol 78 – Jazz Holiday Classics | Jazz Play Along Vol 078 – [Jazz Holiday Classics] | |
| Aebersold, Jamey Jazz Play Along Book + Audio Mp3 – Vol 79 – Avalon | Jazz Play Along Vol 079 – [Avalon] | |
| Aebersold, Jamey Jazz Play Along Book + Audio Mp3 – Vol 80 – Indiana | Jazz Play Along Vol 080 – [Indiana] | |
| Aebersold, Jamey Jazz Play Along Book + Audio Mp3 – Vol 81 – Standards And Originals | Jazz Play Along Vol 081 – [Contemporary Standards & Originals] | |
| Aebersold, Jamey Jazz Play Along Book + Audio Mp3 – Vol 82 – Dexter Gordon | Jazz Play Along Vol 082 – [Dexter Gordon] | |
| Aebersold, Jamey Jazz Play Along Book + Audio Mp3 – Vol 83 – Brecker Brothers | Jazz Play Along Vol 083 – [Brecker Brothers] | |
| Aebersold, Jamey Jazz Play Along Book + Audio Mp3 – Vol 84 – Dominant 7th Workout | Jazz Play Along Vol 084 – [Dominant Seventh Workout] | |
| Aebersold, Jamey Jazz Play Along Book + Audio Mp3 – Vol 85 – Tunes You Thought You Knew | Jazz Play Along Vol 085 – [Tunes You Though You Knew (Reharmonized Standards)] | |
| Aebersold, Jamey Jazz Play Along Book + Audio Mp3 – Vol 86 – Shoutin Out – Horace Silver Tunes (Book+CD) | Jazz Play Along Vol 086 – Shoutin’ Out – Horace Silver Tunes | |
| Aebersold, Jamey Jazz Play Along Book + Audio Mp3 – Vol 87 – When Lights Are Low – Benny Carter | Jazz Play Along Vol 087 – [When Lights Are Low – Benny Carter] | |
| Aebersold, Jamey Jazz Play Along Book + Audio Mp3 – Vol 89 – Darn That Dream | Jazz Play Along Vol 089 – [Darn That Dream] | |
| Aebersold, Jamey Jazz Play Along Book + Audio Mp3 – Vol 90 Odd Times | Jazz Play Along Vol 090 – [Odd Times – Odd Time Signature Songs] | |
| Aebersold, Jamey Jazz Play Along Book + Audio Mp3 – Vol 91-Players Choice | Jazz Play Along Vol 091 – [Player’s Choice] | |
| Aebersold, Jamey Jazz Play Along Book + Audio Mp3 – Vol 92-Lennie Neihaus | Jazz Play Along Vol 092 – [Lennie Neihaus] | |
| Aebersold, Jamey Jazz Play Along Book + Audio Mp3 – Vol 93 What’s new | Jazz Play Along Vol 093 – [What’s New] | |
| Aebersold, Jamey Jazz Play Along Book + Audio Mp3 – Vol 94 Hot Hhouse | Jazz Play Along Vol 094 – [Hot House] | |
| Aebersold, Jamey Jazz Play Along Book + Audio Mp3 – Vol 95- 500 miles high | Jazz Play Along Vol 095 – [500 Miles High] | |
| Aebersold, Jamey Jazz Play Along Book + Audio Mp3 – Vol 96-Latin Quarter | Jazz Play Along Vol 096 – [Latin Quarter] | |
| Aebersold, Jamey Jazz Play Along Book + Audio Mp3 – Vol 97-Standards with strings | Jazz Play Along Vol 097 – [Standards With Strings] | |
| Aebersold, Jamey Jazz Play Along Book + Audio Mp3 – Vol 99 Tadd Dameron | Jazz Play Along Vol 099 – [Tadd Dameron] | |
| Aerith’s Theme – F.F. Vii エアリスのテーマ (Musescore File).mscz | ||
| Aerosmith – Amazing | ||
| Aerosmith – Angel | ||
| Aerosmith – Crazy | ||
| Aerosmith – Dream On |
The Basie orchestra of the 1950s was a slick, professional unit that was expert at sight reading demanding arrangements. Outstanding soloists such as tenor saxophonists Lucky Thompson, Paul Quinichette, and Eddie “Lockjaw” Davis and trumpeters Clark Terry and Charlie Shavers, figured
prominently. Singer Joe Williams, whose authoritative, bluesinfluenced
vocals can be heard on hit recordings such as “Every Day I Have the Blues” and “Alright, Okay, You Win,” was also a major component in the band’s success. Arrangers Neal Hefti, Buster Harding, and Ernie Wilkins defined the new band’s sound on recordings such as “Li’l Darlin’,”
“The Kid from Red Bank,” “Cute,” and “April in Paris” and on celebrated albums such as The Atomic Mr. Basie (1957).
The 1950s band showcased the sound and style Basie was to employ for the remainder of his career, although there were to be occasional—and successful—experiments such as Afrique (1970), an album of African rhythms and avant-garde compositions that still managed to remain faithful to the overall Basie sound.
Throughout the 1960s, Basie’s recordings were often unremarkable, but he remained an exceptional concert performer and made fine records with singers Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, and Frank Sinatra. When jazz record producer Norman Granz formed his Pablo label in the 1970s, several established jazz artists, including Basie, signed on in order to record unfettered by commercial demands. Basie benefited greatly from his association with Granz and made several recordings during the ’70s that rank among his best work.
He recorded less often with his big band during this era (although when he did, the results were outstanding), concentrating instead on small-group and piano-duet recordings. Especially noteworthy were the albums featuring the duo of Basie and Oscar Peterson, with Basie’s economy and Peterson’s dexterous virtuosity proving an effective study in contrasts. Many of Basie’s albums of the ’70s were Grammy Award winners or nominees.
Suffering from diabetes and chronic arthritis during his later years, Basie continued to front his big band until a month before his death in 1984. The band itself carried on into the next century, with Thad Jones, Frank Foster, and Grover Mitchell each assuming leadership for various intervals. Basie’s autobiography, Good Morning Blues, written with Albert Murray, was published posthumously in 1985. Along with Duke Ellington, Count Basie is regarded as one of the two most important and influential bandleaders in the history of jazz.
Best site for sheet music download.
Count Basie and his Orchestra live at the North Sea Jazz Festival • 13-07-1979 • World of Jazz
The Orchestra: • Count Basie: piano • John Clayton, bass • Butch Miles, drums • Freddie Green, guitar, • Sonny Cohn, Pete Minger, Ray Brown, Paul Cohen, trumpet • Bill Hughes, Mel Wanzo, Mitchell Wood Jr, Dennis Wilson, trombone • Eric Dixon, Charlie Fowlkes, Kenny Hing, Bobby Plater, Danny Turner, saxophone • Dennis Rowland, vocals
The repertoire: Wind Machine Shiny Stockings John The III There Will Never Be Another You Good Time Blues April In Paris I Can’t Get Started In A Mellotone Easy Living 9.20 Special Good Mileage Splanky Recorded on 17 July 1979 at the Congresgebouw, The Hague, the Netherlands by AVRO TV