Role

:

Composer Conductor  

Country

:

United States of America

Birth

:

August 21, 1904 in Red Bank, NJ

Death

:

April 26, 1984 in Hollywood, FL

Genre

:

Band

 

Count Basie was a renowned American jazz pianist, bandleader, and composer who was born on August 21, 1904, in Red Bank, New Jersey. He was the son of Harvey Lee Basie and Lillian Childs, who were both musicians. Basie's father played the mellophone, while his mother played the piano. Basie's parents encouraged him to pursue music, and he began playing the piano at a young age. Basie's family moved to Harlem, New York, in 1920, where he began playing in local jazz clubs. He was influenced by the music of pianists such as Fats Waller and James P. Johnson. Basie's first professional job was with a vaudeville act called Katie Krippen and Her Kiddies. He then joined a touring show called the Gonzelle White Show, where he played with musicians such as Hot Lips Page and Walter Page. In 1929, Basie joined Bennie Moten's Kansas City Orchestra, where he played piano and arranged music. Basie's arrangements were a major factor in the success of the band, and he became known for his use of simple, repetitive riffs and his ability to create a swinging, danceable sound. When Moten died in 1935, Basie took over the band and renamed it the Count Basie Orchestra. Under Basie's leadership, the Count Basie Orchestra became one of the most popular and influential big bands of the swing era. The band's signature sound was characterized by its tight, precise ensemble playing, its use of call-and-response patterns, and its emphasis on the rhythm section. Basie's piano playing was also a key element of the band's sound, and he was known for his spare, bluesy style. Some of Basie's most famous compositions include "One O'Clock Jump," "Jumpin' at the Woodside," and "April in Paris." "One O'Clock Jump" was written in 1937 and became the band's signature tune. It features a catchy, swinging melody and a series of solos by various members of the band. "Jumpin' at the Woodside" was written in 1938 and is another classic Basie tune. It features a driving, up-tempo rhythm and a series of solos by the band's saxophone section. "April in Paris" was written in 1932 but didn't become a hit until the band recorded it in 1955. It features a lush, romantic melody and is considered one of the most beautiful ballads in the jazz repertoire. In addition to his work as a composer and bandleader, Basie was also a mentor to many young musicians. He was known for his generosity and his willingness to help aspiring musicians get started in the music business. Some of the musicians who got their start with Basie's band include saxophonist Lester Young, trumpeter Harry "Sweets" Edison, and singer Joe Williams. Basie continued to lead the Count Basie Orchestra until his death in 1984. During his career, he won nine Grammy Awards and was inducted into the DownBeat Jazz Hall of Fame and the Big Band and Jazz Hall of Fame. He was also awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1985, posthumously. In conclusion, Count Basie was a legendary jazz pianist, bandleader, and composer who had a profound impact on the development of jazz music. His innovative arrangements and his use of simple, repetitive riffs helped to create the swinging, danceable sound that became the hallmark of the big band era. Basie's compositions, such as "One O'Clock Jump," "Jumpin' at the Woodside," and "April in Paris," are still considered classics of the jazz repertoire.

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