Count Basie
21 August 1904 – 26 April 1984
Count Basie was an American jazz pianist, organist, bandleader, and composer who led one of the most important big bands in jazz history for nearly 50 years. His orchestra was known for its swinging rhythm section and a spare, blues-rooted style.
Lived at the same time
Well-documented people whose lives overlapped with Count Basie.
- Alan Paton (1903–1988) Overlapped 80 years →
- Dr. Seuss (1904–1991) Overlapped 80 years →
- Graham Greene (1904–1991) Overlapped 80 years →
- J. R. D. Tata (1904–1993) Overlapped 80 years →
- Louis de Broglie (1892–1987) Overlapped 80 years →
- Paul Dirac (1902–1984) Overlapped 80 years →
Life events
William James Basie was born in Red Bank, New Jersey.
Source: en.wikipedia.orgBasie played piano for vaudeville acts before settling into the jazz scene.
Source: en.wikipedia.orgBasie became part of the influential Kansas City jazz scene with the Moten orchestra.
Source: en.wikipedia.orgBasie founded his own big band in Kansas City, which gained national fame.
Source: en.wikipedia.orgThe tune became the band's signature theme and a swing standard.
Source: en.wikipedia.orgBasie assembled a new orchestra that revived his career and toured internationally.
Source: en.wikipedia.orgBasie received several Grammys over the course of his long career.
Source: en.wikipedia.orgBasie died of pancreatic cancer at age 79.
Source: en.wikipedia.org