This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. band a permanent place in jazz history. Diane died peacefully on October 15 after suffering a heart attack a few days before. He called Basie "Holy Man", "Holy Main", and just plain "Holy".[36]. [74], Count Basie died of pancreatic cancer in Hollywood, Florida, on April 26, 1984, at the age of 79.[1]. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Count Basie and his Orchestra played at the tenth Cavalcade of Jazz concert also at Wrigley Field on June 20, 1954. "I wanted 13 men to think and play the same way. Basie was a true innovator leading the band for almost 50 years and recording on over 480 albums. In 1981, Mr. Basie was honored along with Cary Grant, Helen Hayes and other stars as a Basie earned nine Grammy Awardsand made history in 1958 by becoming the first African-American to receive the award. When Basie took his orchestra to New York in 1937, they made the Woodside Hotel in Harlem their base (they often rehearsed in its basement). next five years. Good Morning Blues: The Autobiography of Count Basie. Ellington was a composer who played piano, but he really used the band as his expressive instrument. During the 1940's, many of the great jazz musicians of the decade passed through the band, among them Illinois Jacquet, Don Byas, Wardell Gray, Paul Quinichette, Lucky Thompson, J. J. Johnson, Paul Count Basie, the jazz pianist whose spare, economic keyboard style and supple rhythmic drive made his orchestra one of the most influential groups of the Big Band era, died of cancer yesterday . Basie toured in several acts between 1925 and 1927, including Katie Krippen and Her Kiddies (featuring singer Katie Crippen) as part of the Hippity Hop show; on the Keith, the Columbia Burlesque, and the Theater Owners Bookers Association (T.O.B.A.) [2][3] His father worked as a coachman and caretaker for a wealthy judge. Basie, Count. The To help it through the Grand Terrace engagement, Fletcher Henderson, who had provided Benny Goodman with New Jersey. Around 1924 Basie moved toHarlem, a hotbed for jazz, where his career started to quickly take off. The pianist Count Basie died at the age of 79. Basie was often recognized for his understated yet captivating style of piano playing and his precise, impeccable musical leadership. He and his band recorded with Provide Feedback Form. April 27, 1984 7 AM PT. passages, directing his musicians with a glance, a lift of an eyebrow or a note hit gently but positively in passing. onto every note, sitting behind him all the time. It was released by Roulette Records, then later reissued by Capitol Records. Billie Holiday (born Eleanora Fagan; April 7, 1915 - July 17, 1959) was an American jazz and swing music singer. It was at this time that he began to be known as "Count" Basie (see Jazz royalty).[19]. With Billy Eckstine on the album Basie/Eckstine Incorporated, in 1959. recipient of Washington's Kennedy Center honors for achievement in the performing arts. Sinatra later said of this concert "I have a funny feeling that those two nights could have been my finest hour, really. 1928. She was 67 years old. It does not store any personal data. with disabilities are encouraged to direct suggestions, comments, or complaints concerning any Those four sides were released on Vocalion Records under the band name of Jones-Smith Incorporated; the sides were "Shoe Shine Boy", "Evening", "Boogie Woogie", and "Oh Lady Be Good". In 1959, Basie's band recorded a "greatest hits" double album The Count Basie Story (Frank Foster, arranger), and Basie/Eckstine Incorporated, an album featuring Billy Eckstine, Quincy Jones (as arranger) and the Count Basie Orchestra. Basie's new band was more of an ensemble group, with fewer solo turns, and relying less on "head" and more on written arrangements. Through Mr. Waller, Mr. Basie got a job as an accompanist with a vaudeville act called Katie Crippen and Her Kids. [32] He invited them to record, in performances which were Lester Young's earliest recordings. Count Basie was born on August 21, 1904 and died on April 26, 1984. Individuals Birthday: August 21, 1904. From then on, it was Count Basie.". We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. cushion. Encyclopedia of Jazz. I wanted those three trumpets and two trombones Joy S. Rosenthal, Trustee, William J. Basie Trust and Guardian for Diane L. Basie, At Institute of Jazz Studies, an Intimate Look at Count Basie, Grammy Nominated for Live At Birdland . The agent, Willard Alexander, said Mrs. Basie died while her husband was appearing at the Royal York Hotel in Toronto. E-Commerce Site for Mobius GPO Members count basie daughter died. (193545) was unquestionably Basie's greatest. The songs were often designed to He was 79 years old and lived in Freeport, the Bahamas. He is survived by a daughter, Diane Basie of Freeport. On September 11, 1996, the U.S. Post Office issued a Count Basie 32 cents postage stamp. It positioned him with Earl Hines, as well as Duke Ellington. Basie then formed his own nine-piece band, Barons of Rhythm, with many former Moten members including Walter Page (bass), Freddie Green (guitar), Jo Jones (drums),Lester Young (tenor saxophone) and Jimmy Rushing(vocals). This group was eventually called the New Testament band. But I wanted that bite to be just as tasty and subtle as if it were the three brass I used to use. With the New Testament Basie band in full swing, and arrangements written by a youthful Quincy Jones, this album proved a swinging respite from her Songbook recordings and constant touring she did during this period. Count Basie is considered one of the greatest bandleaders of all times. [48] When Eddie Durham left for Glenn Miller's orchestra, he was replaced by Dicky Wells. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. a few moments before. expensive blunder in Basie's history," said Mr. Hammond) that included hit after hit--"Swingin' the Blues," "Jumpin' at the Woodside," "One O'Clock The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. She paid 25 cents a lesson for Count Basie's piano instruction. onenighters, and the bebop revolution of the mid-1940s all played a role Mr. Basie was born in Red Bank, N.J., on Aug. 21, 1904, an only child who was christened William. He was a fine pianist and leader of one of the greatest jazz bands in history. In 1950, when big bands were falling apart, Mr. Basie cut down to an eight-piece group but by 1952 he was leading a big band once again. [16] He met Fats Waller, who was playing organ at the Lincoln Theater accompanying silent movies, and Waller taught him how to play that instrument. Among his band's best-known numbers were "One O'Clock Jump," "Jumpin' at the Woodside," "Li'l Darlin'" and "April in Paris.". Begin typing your search term above and press enter to search. Mr. Basie's wife, Catherine, died in April 1983. The couple were true socialites - often gathering with friends including celebrities Frank Sinatra, Jerry Lewis, Sammy Davis, Jr., and Basie protg Quincy Jones. They had direct lines to presidents, occasionally exchanging personal telegrams giving well wishes. Count Basie, the jazz pianist whose spare, economic keyboard style and supple rhythmic drive made his orchestra one of the most influential groups of the Big Band era, died of cancer yesterday. He rose to fame after taking over Bennie Moten's band in 1935. written by Basie himself in 1937. His In 2009, Basie was inducted into the New Jersey Hall of Fame.[88]. [63] DownBeat magazine reported: "(Basie) has managed to assemble an ensemble that can thrill both the listener who remembers 1938 and the youngster who has never before heard a big band like this. The band survived Basie's death, with ex-Basie-ite trumpeter Thad Jones directing until his death in 1986. [21] In addition to playing piano, Basie was co-arranger with Eddie Durham, who notated the music. [24] During a stay in Chicago, Basie recorded with the band. He was the arbiter of the big-band swing sound and his unique style of fusing blues and jazz established swing as a predominant music style. Many other bands later adapted the split tenor arrangement. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. They had one daughter, Diane, in 1944. What pianist lead the most successful band in Kansas City? Basie and his Orchestra appeared in five films, all released within a matter of months in 1943:Hit Parade, Reveille with Beverly, Stage Door Canteen, Top Man, andCrazy House. He has had an unprecedented four recordings inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame One OClock Jump(1979),April in Paris(1985),Everyday I Have the Blues(1992), andLester Leaps In(2005), along with a slew of other awards and honors not only for his music, but for his humanitarianism and philanthropy around the world. Two years later, they were the most famous African American band in the country. He couldnt write music at the time, but his ear was perfect. Neal Hefti began to provide arrangements, including "Lil Darlin'". Catherine Basie, wife of Count Basie, the jazz musician and band leader, died of a heart attack yesterday at the couples home in Freeport, Grand Bahama Island, according to Mr. Basies agent. She was 67 years old. We are currently enrolling students for on-campus classes and scheduling in-person campus tours. Hollywood, Florida New Jersey, Report Accessibility Barrier or This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Jazz Musician. However, the man ended up betraying Basies trust, and he stole from Diane. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Thanks for contacting us. Basie reorganized the Orchestra in 1952 and this new band was in high demand and toured extensively around the world. Dance, Stanley. She was married to Count Basie since August 21, 1942 until her death in 1983. It was a loose and swinging band, built around distinctively individualistic solos by Lester encouraged to direct suggestions, comments, or complaints concerning any accessibility issues We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. They took up a regular engagement at Kansas City's Reno Club, and broadcast a nightly radio show. From the time Count Basie's "Old Testament Band" surged out of Kansas City in 1936 and brought his irrepressible mixture of blues and riff-based head arrangements to New York until his death in 1984, Basie and the bands he led were a touchstone of jazz history. on a motorized wheelchair which he sometimes drove with joyful abandon. 50 feet long, which was having trouble doing business in the summer because it had no air-conditioning. Then I sat beside him and he taught me.". "When they let you in the door," Ralph Gleason, the jazz critic, reported, "it was like jumping into the center of a whirlwind. William James " Count " Basie ( / besi /; August 21, 1904 - April 26, 1984) [1] was an American jazz pianist, organist, bandleader, and composer. How did the bands of Count Basie and Duke Ellington differ? with trumpeter Thad Jones directing until his own death in 1986. From the Grand Terrace, it moved on to New York and Roseland Ballroom (playing opposite Woody Herman's new, young band) where listeners complained that it was out of tune (not a surprising reaction However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent. After Vocalion became a subsidiary of Columbia Records in 1938, "Boogie Woogie" was released in 1941 as part of a four-record compilation album entitled Boogie Woogie (Columbia album C44). He reformed his group as a 16-piece orchestra in 1952. Next, Basie played at the Savoy, which was noted more for lindy-hopping, while the Roseland was a place for fox-trots and congas. He was a big force in music. [5][6], The best student in school, Basie dreamed of a traveling life, inspired by touring carnivals which came to town. Jump" (his theme) and many others now considered jazz classics. Mr. Alexander agreed to lend the club $2,500 to install an air-conditioner if it would book While reports of Woodard being sent to jail never surfaced, one thing is for sure, and that is that Diane is doing great under her new caretakers. Jazz icon, Count Basie, was born William James Basie August 21, 1904 in Red Bank, New Jersey. During his orchestras peak years in the 1920s and 30s, he helped define the sound of big-band jazz, pioneering musical ideas which today are taken for granted. "[64] In 1957, Basie sued the jazz venue Ball and Chain in Miami over outstanding fees, causing the closure of the venue. We collect and tell stories of people from all around the world. We've received your submission. [11] Soon, Basie met many of the Harlem musicians who were "making the scene," including Willie "the Lion" Smith and James P. Johnson. "Can you imagine a man who kind of romps around the piano," Mr. Shearing said, Basie liked the results and named the piece "One O'Clock Jump". He played along with The Flairs, Christine Kittrell, Lamp Lighters, Louis Jordan and His Tympany Five, Ruth Brown, and Perez Prado and his Orchestra.[59]. Mr. Basie was, along with Duke Ellington and Benny Goodman, one of the pre-eminent bandleaders of the Big Band era in the 1930's and 40's. After a decade-long courtship, Basie married dancer Catherine Morgan, his second wife, on his birthday in 1942. Joe Williams toured with the band and was featured on the 1957 album One O'Clock Jump, and 1956's Count Basie Swings, Joe Williams Sings, with "Every Day (I Have the Blues)" becoming a huge hit. the arrangements that enabled his band to break through a year earlier, lent Mr. Basie some of his arrangements. Soon after, Benny Goodman recorded their signature "One O'Clock Jump" with his band. A year later, Basie joinedBennie_Motens band, and played with them until Motens death in 1935. During a broadcast the announcer wanted to give Basie's name some style, so he called him "Count". The couple had an only daughter, Diane Basie, whos now a 74-year-old disabled woman. Count Basie and his Friends, myspace.com. The swing era band He also scored a series of Top Ten hits on the pop and R&B charts, includingI Didnt Know About You,Red Bank Blues,Rusty Dusty Blues, Jimmys Blues,andBlue Skies. In 1950, financial restraints forced Basie to disband the orchestra. He occasionally played four-hand piano and dual pianos with Moten, who also conducted. Your email address will not be published. For the next two years he led small bands between six and nine pieces. Discography of American Historical Recordings, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Count_Basie&oldid=1137147837, Best Jazz Instrumental Performance, Big Band, Best Jazz Performance by a Soloist (Instrumental), Best Performance by an Orchestra For Dancing. Shortly after he got there, he got a gig replacing Fats Waller with a touring vaudeville act. On May 23, 1985, William "Count" Basie was presented, posthumously, with the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Ronald Reagan. [58] They played to a crowd of 15,000. While Count Basie worked over 300 nights a year, Mrs. Basie was very active in charitable and civil rights organizations, and was recognized for her work by the major leaders of the day. At a theatre in Newark he was able to hear regular performances by the bands of Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Stan Kenton and others. On February 19, 1940, Count Basie and his Orchestra opened a four-week engagement at Southland in Boston, and they broadcast over the radio on February 20. and Sarah Vaughan (19241990). document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); 2023 FAQS Clear - All Rights Reserved "I had dropped into the old Lincoln Theater in Harlem," Mr. Basie once recalled, "and I heard a young fellow beating it out on an organ. Dance hall bookings were down sharply as swing began to fade, the effects of the musicians' strikes of 194244 and 1948 began to be felt, and the public's taste grew for singers. The couple kept her and cared deeply for her, and especially through her mother's tutelage, Diane learned not only to walk but to swim. [46], The publicity over the big band battle, before and after, gave the Basie band a boost and wider recognition. ABC World News Tonight feature on death of Count Basie on April 26, 1984 3,211 views Aug 26, 2016 26 Dislike Share Save pianopappy 7.27K subscribers Peter Jennings (who was a jazz an). Released: 1967 . New York: C. Scribner's Sons, 1980. He is credited for creating the use of the two split tenor saxophone, emphasizing the rhythm section, riffing with a big band, using arrangers to broaden their sound, and beautifully layering masterful vocalists. stylea solid rhythm backing the horn soloists, who were also This stemmed primarily from the presence in the rhythm section, from 1937 to the present, of both Mr. Basie on piano and Freddie Green on guitar. As one critic put it, they "put wheels on all four bars of the beat," creating a smooth rhythmic flow over which Mr. Basie's other instrumentalists rode as though they were on a streamlined He quickly made a name for himself playing the piano at local venues and parties around town until he moved to New York City in search of greater opportunities. His mother, a piano player who gave Basie his first piano lessons, took in laundry and baked cakes for sale and paid 25 cents a lesson for piano instruction for him. They had one daughter, Diane, in 1944. We believe that every person's story is important as it provides our community with an opportunity to feel a sense of belonging, share their hopes and dreams. Hammond introduced Helen Humes, whom Basie hired; she stayed with Basie for four years. the Basie band struggled for a year after it left Kansas City. His wife, Catherine, had died in 1983; they had one daughter. New York: Random House, 1985. When the Page band broke up in 1929, Mr. William (Count) Basie, who produced more music with two fingers than most pianists get out of 10, died Thursday in a hospital in Hollywood, Fla., where he had been admitted . There was a memorable concert at Town Hall several Press ESC to cancel. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. A father of bebop, he influenced generations of musicians, and sparked the fire of one of the most important and successful American artistic movements. In 2021s Elvis, a Count Basie poster is seen about 20 minutes into the movie. Some time in or before 1935, the now single Basie returned to New York City, renting a house at 111 West 138th Street, Manhattan, as evidenced by the 1940 census. Another Basie innovation was the use of two tenor saxophone players; at the time, most bands had just one. Released: 1955 . William Basie was born to Lillian and Harvey Lee Basie in Red Bank, New Jersey. He was the arbiter of the big-band swing sound and his unique style of fusing blues and jazz established swing as a predominant music style. The Count Meets the Duke, each providing four numbers from their play books. In the early 1970s, the Basies moved to the warmer climate of Freeport, Bahamas. [68] He was a guest on ABC's The Pat Boone Chevy Showroom, a venue also opened to several other black entertainers. The loss of key personnel (some to military service), the wartime ban on During a broadcast the announcer wanted to give Basies name some style, so he called him Count. Little did Basie know this touch of royalty would give him proper status and position him with the likes of Duke Ellington and Earl Hines. Rutgers is an equal access/equal opportunity institution. Basie led his jazz orchestra almost continuously for nearly 50 years. The key [27] According to Basie, "we hit it with the rhythm section and went into the riffs, and the riffs just stuck. At a White House reception, President Reagan said that Mr. Basie was "among the handful of musicians that helped change the path of American music in the 30's and the 40's" and that he had "revolutionized jazz.". [56], Count Basie was the featured artist at the first Cavalcade of Jazz concert held at Wrigley Field on September 23, 1945, which was produced by Leon Hefflin Sr.[57] Al Jarvis was the Emcee and other artists to appear on stage were Joe Liggins and his Honeydrippers, The Peters Sisters, Slim and Bam, Valaida Snow, and Big Joe Turner. There were often no musical notations made. band's achievements was its fifty-year survival in a culture that A stocky, handsome man with heavy-lidded eyes and a sly smile, Basie was There will be a viewing at Benta's Funeral Home, 630 St. Nicholas Avenue at 141st Street, on Sunday from 1 to 7 P.M. But the obvious talents of another young Red Bank drummer, Sonny Greer, 'No,' I said, 'but I'd A few months later, Basie quit MCA and signed with the William Morris Agency, who got them better fees.[51]. Though stories abound at the genesis of his nickname, Basie later recalled it as a tribute to his penchant for slipping off during arranging sessions with Moten. Well, the Roseland is still standing". Basie favored blues, and he would showcase some of the most notable blues singers of the era after he went to New York: Billie Holiday, Jimmy Rushing, Big Joe Turner, Helen Humes, and Joe Williams. After working briefly as house organist in a many other famous artists, including Duke Ellington (18991974), The pianist in the combo gave up his seat to Mr. Basie who sat down, tinkled a few Late one night with time to fill, the band started improvising. This page was last edited on 3 February 2023, at 01:33. By 1937 Basie's band was, with the possible exception of Duke "Of course, I wanted to play real jazz. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. This provided an early training that was to prove significant in his later career. Red Bank, New Jersey Later that year, Basie appeared on a television special with Fred Astaire, featuring a dance solo to "Sweet Georgia Brown", followed in January 1961 by Basie performing at one of the five John F. Kennedy Inaugural Balls. The band broadcast from the Reno Club on an experimental radio station. Ella Fitzgerald made some memorable recordings with Basie, including the 1963 album Ella and Basie!. His wife, Catherine, had died in See the Count Basie Orchestra Discography. He quickly learned to improvise music appropriate to the acts and the silent movies. She even toured with the Basie Orchestra in the mid-1970s, and Fitzgerald and Basie also met on the 1979 albums A Classy Pair, Digital III at Montreux, and A Perfect Match, the last two also recorded live at Montreux. However, throughout the 1940s, he maintained a big band that possessed an infectious rhythmic beat, an enthusiastic team spirit, and a long list of inspired and talented jazz soloists. And it was a seven-day week. In fact, the only reason I enlarged the brass was to get a richer harmonic Catherine Basie, wife of Count Basie, the jazz musician and band leader, died of a heart attack yesterday at the couple's home in Freeport, Grand Bahama Island, according to Mr. Basie's agent. What Is The Origin Of Springerle Cookies? He soon started booking the band and shopping them to agents and record companies forging their big break. desktop goose android. The sound was almost frightening. "April in Paris" (arrangement by Wild Bill Davis) was a best-selling instrumental and the title song for the hit album. [55] The war years caused a lot of members turn over, and the band worked many play dates with lower pay. Basie is a part of the Big Band Leaders issue, which, is in turn, part of the Legends of American Music series. Before he was 20 years old, he toured extensively on the Keith and TOBA vaudeville circuits as a solo pianist, accompanist, and music director for blues singers, dancers, and comedians. [65], In 1958, the band made its first European tour. Despite the presence of Lester Young and Herschel Evans in the saxophone section, Buck Clayton in the trumpet section, Jo Jones on drums, with Jimmy Rushing and, briefly, Billie Holiday as vocalists, "He was the only leader in the business who ever went out of his way to help me," Mr. Basie said later. supported by sectional riffing (the repeating of a musical figure by the This second-generation big band differed from the early one in that it depended on arrangers for its basic style, a smooth, rolling, highly polished swing style for which Neal Hefti ("Li'l Basie died April 26, 1984 in Hollywood, FL but his legacy is still swinging strong. They also toured with the "Birdland Stars of 1955", whose lineup included Sarah Vaughan, Erroll Garner, Lester Young, George Shearing, and Stan Getz.[66]. [14] Before he was 20 years old, he toured extensively on the Keith and TOBA vaudeville circuits as a solo pianist, accompanist, and music director for blues singers, dancers, and comedians. in the death of the big-band era. While on one tour he became stranded in Kansas City, Missouri. Basie also toured with Bennett, including a date at Carnegie Hall. The band keeps on touring around the country under the direction of trumpeter Scotty Barnhart. Basie's 14-man band began playing at the Famous Door, a mid-town nightspot with a CBS network feed and air conditioning, which Hammond was said to have bought the club in return for their booking Basie steadily throughout the summer of 1938. What was the greatest era of the Basie band? Bandleader, arranger and pianist Fletcher Henderson is one of the most influential and yet least-known jazz masters. time!". But Moten was an expert piano player himself, and Basie fashioned a job for himself as the bands staff arranger. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". His name was Louis Armstrong. For a year he played piano accompaniment to silent moves and then joined Walter Page's Blue Devils in Tulsa, Hes survived by his disabled daughter, Diane, who was allegedly the victim of a robbery at the hands of her late father's friend. Ellington's (18991974), the most famous African American Finally, Willard Alexander, a booking agent, in an effort to get the band on 52d Street, then the jazz center of New York, made a deal with the Famous Door, a shoebox of a room, 25 feet wide and about His home for many years was in Freeport, the Bahamas; he died of cancer at Doctors' Hospital in Hollywood, Florida, on April 26, 1984. Count Basie was an extremely popular figure in the jazz world for half a 132 West 138th Street. [49] Adding to their play book, Basie received arrangements from Jimmy Mundy (who had also worked with Benny Goodman and Earl Hines), particularly for "Cherokee", "Easy Does It", and "Super Chief". rehearsal and then written down later. Posted by June 11, 2022 cabarrus county sheriff arrests on count basie daughter died June 11, 2022 cabarrus county sheriff arrests on count basie daughter died Even in Harlem, it puzzled the aware audiences at the Savoy Ballroom. She was 67 years old. He had an incredible ear, and could repeat any tune he heard. returned to his first lovethe big bandand it thrived. [30], In that city in October 1936, the band had a recording session which the producer John Hammond later described as "the only perfect, completely perfect recording session I've ever had anything to do with". Their "Moten Swing", which Basie claimed credit for,[23] was an invaluable contribution to the development of swing music, and at one performance at the Pearl Theatre in Philadelphia in December 1932, the theatre opened its door to allow anybody in who wanted to hear the band perform. introductory notes, looked up at the drummer, nodded at the rest of the group and, when the combo took off, the musicians were playing as brilliantly and cleanly as they had been disheveled only
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