Acting
Count Basie
1904 · Red Bank, New Jersey, USA
30 films
Bio
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.
Filmography
Blazing Saddles
Count Basie
Piano Blues
Self (archive footage)
Louis Armstrong's Black & Blues
Self (voice) (archive sound)
Jamboree!
Count Basie
Improvisation
Self
Cinderfella
Count Basie
Frank Sinatra Spectacular
Self
Judy Garland Duets
Self (archive footage)
Killer Diller
Original Music Composer
Charlie Parker: Bird Songs
Self (archive footage)
Stage Door Canteen
Count Basie
The Last of the Blue Devils
Self