Count Basie
Acting
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. Many musicians came to prominence under his direction, including the tenor saxophonists Lester Young and Herschel Evans, the guitarist Freddie Green, trumpeters Buck Clayton and Harry "Sweets" Edison, plunger trombonist Al Grey, and singers Jimmy Rushing, Helen Humes, Dennis Rowland, Thelma Carpenter, and Joe Williams. As a composer, Basie is known for writing such jazz standards as "Blue and Sentimental", "Jumpin' at the Woodside" and "One O'Clock Jump". Description above from the Wikipedia article Count Basie, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.
TV Shows(13)
The Big Show
Self
1980
The Kennedy Center Honors
Self
1978
ABC Stage 67
Self
1966
The Hollywood Palace
Self - Pianist
1964
The Judy Garland Show
Self
1963
The Merv Griffin Show
Self
1962
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
Self
1962
The Mike Douglas Show
Self
1961
Startime
Self
1959
The Dinah Shore Chevy Show
Self
1956
The Steve Allen Show
Self - Conductor
1956
Cavalcade of Bands
1950
The Ed Sullivan Show
Self
1948
Movies(35)
Louis Armstrong's Black & Blues
Self (voice) (archive sound)
2022
Rat Pack
Self (archive footage)
2022
Charlie Parker: Bird Songs
Self (archive footage)
2022
Billie
self
2020
Count Basie: Through His Own Eyes
2020
Sid & Judy
Self (archive footage)
2019
Jazz Legends in Their Own Words
Self (archive footage)
2014
All-Star Jazz Show: Live from The Ed Sullivan Theater
Self
2011
Music Inn
Himself (archive footage)
2007
Jazz Icons: Count Basie Live in '62
Himself
2006
Judy Garland Duets
Self (archive footage)
2005
The Harlem Renaissance
Self (archive footage)
2004
Improvisation
Self
2004
Piano Blues
Self (archive footage)
2003
New York in the Fifties
Self
2001
Bluesland: A Portrait in American Music
Self (archive footage)
1993
Frank Sinatra: The Man and His Music
Self
1981
Count Basie At Carnegie Hall
Self
1981
The Last Of The Blue Devils - The Kansas City Jazz Story
Self
1979
Norman Granz’ Jazz in Montreaux presents Ella and Basie '79—"The Perfect Match"
Sself (Piano, Conductor)
1979
Blazing Saddles
Self
1974
Made in Paris
Count Basie
1966
Frank Sinatra Spectacular
Self
1965
Cinderfella
Count Basie
1960
Jamboree!
Count Basie
1957
Rhythm and Blues Revue
Self
1955
'Sugar Chile' Robinson, Billie Holiday, Count Basie and His Sextet
1951
Basie Boogie
1950
Crazy House
Count Basie
1943
Top Man
Orchestra Leader
1943
Stage Door Canteen
Count Basie
1943
Air Mail Special
Self
1941
Take Me Back, Baby
1941
Policy Man
Count Basie
1938
Ebony Parade
(archive footage)