But it was in Harlem, New York City, that he learned the basics of piano, mainly from his sometime organ teacher, the great Fats Waller (19041943). [27] According to Basie, "we hit it with the rhythm section and went into the riffs, and the riffs just stuck. During this period, Basie married dancer Catherine Morgan, with whom he would have a daughter. He was a fine pianist and leader of one of the greatest jazz who was Duke Ellington's drummer from 1919 to 1951, discouraged young Basie and he switched to piano. With many of the other big bands of the swing Their albums together included In Person and Strike Up the Band. Mr. Basie was born in Red Bank, N.J., on Aug. 21, 1904, an only child who was christened William. band in America. When the band voted Moten out, Basie took over for several months, calling the group Count Basie and his Cherry Blossoms. After a decade-long courtship, Basie married dancer Catherine Morgan, his second wife, on his birthday in 1942. [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. The Count Basie Orchestra recorded and played live with many iconic artists like Duke Ellington, Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, Tonny Benneth and Sarah Vaughan. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". superior arrangements (reflecting Basie's good taste) and the They were referred to as [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". In 1950, financial considerations forced Basie to disband the orchestra. [77][78], Count Basie introduced several generations of listeners to the Big Band sound and left an influential catalog. During a broadcast the announcer wanted to give Basie's name some style, so he called him "Count". Even in Harlem, it puzzled the aware audiences at the Savoy Ballroom. 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. For a year he played piano accompaniment to silent moves and then joined Walter Page's Blue Devils in Tulsa, cushion. band a permanent place in jazz history. 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). Count Basie is considered one of the greatest bandleaders of all times. [29] Right from the start, Basie's band was known for its rhythm section. But by 1952 he reorganized the band, and the second Count Basie Orchestra was considered as exciting, vibrant and even more important than the first. "Count.". We set the thing up front in D-flat, and then we just went on playing in F." It became his signature tune. In 1935, he formed the Count Basie Orchestra, and in 1936 took them to Chicago for a long engagement and their first recording. Basie liked the results and named the piece "One O'Clock Jump". supported by sectional riffing (the repeating of a musical figure by the dealing with the egos of his musicians. In 2012, Manhattan Surrogates Court Justice Kristin Booth Glen removed Woodward from his position as Diane guardian after he failed to explain the missing money from Dianes account. (traveling variety entertainment). After working briefly as house organist in a His father was a student of the mellophone, and his mother was a pianist. 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. 3 What pianist lead the most successful band in Kansas City? For the next two years he led small bands between six and nine pieces. "and those tiny tinkling things. and Sarah Vaughan (19241990). 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. Provide Feedback Form, Rutgers, The State University of For a while, he performed in combos, sometimes stretched to an orchestra. When Basie died of pancreatic cancer in 1984 at the age of 79, he left his $1.5 million fortune in a trust to provide for Diane. The couple had an only daughter, Diane Basie, who's now a 74-year-old disabled woman. 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It was during this time that he was given the nickname [5][6], The best student in school, Basie dreamed of a traveling life, inspired by touring carnivals which came to town. Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. there were a couple of well-known bandleaders named Earl Hines and Duke Ellington. From 1929 to 1932, Basie was part of Bennie Moten's Kansas City Orchestra: In 1958, Basie became the first African-American to win a Grammy Award. Some time around 1964, Basie adopted his trademark yachting cap.[71]. (Holiday did not record with Basie, as she had her own record contract and preferred working with small combos). hired him. Mr. Basie's wife, Catherine, died in April 1983. Please fill in your e-mail so we can share with you our top stories. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". You never got tired of that business at the end.". Count and Mrs. Basie were true socialites - often gathering with friends including celebrities Frank Sinatra, Jerry Lewis, Sammy Davis, Jr., and Basie protg Quincy Jones. onenighters, and the bebop revolution of the mid-1940s all played a role But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. The loss of key personnel (some to military service), the wartime ban on The agent, Willard Alexander, said Mrs. Basie died while her husband was appearing at the Royal York Hotel in Toronto. parents, Harvey and Lillian (Childs) Basie, were both musicians. The broadcast was picked up one night by John Hammond, the jazz enthusiast who had discovered Billie Holiday and helped Benny Goodman start his band. [9] When not playing a gig, he hung out at the local pool hall with other musicians, where he picked up on upcoming play dates and gossip. On the West Coast, in 1942 the band did a spot in Reveille With Beverly, a musical film starring Ann Miller, and a "Command Performance" for Armed Forces Radio, with Hollywood stars Clark Gable, Bette Davis, Carmen Miranda, Jerry Colonna, and the singer Dinah Shore. Report Accessibility Barrier or Not loud and fast, understand, but smoothly and with a definite punch.". the band developed its own variation of the Kansas City swing While on one tour he became stranded in Kansas City, Missouri. Through Mr. Waller, Mr. Basie got a job as an accompanist with a vaudeville act called Katie Crippen and Her Kids. He was 79 years old and lived in Freeport, the Bahamas. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. Released: 1955 . 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.She was 67 years old. written by Basie himself in 1937. Through steady changes in personnel, Basie led the band into the 1980s. There was a memorable concert at Town Hall several What is the formula for calculating solute potential? Count Basie. 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. 50 feet long, which was having trouble doing business in the summer because it had no air-conditioning. His wife, Catherine, had died in 1983. [65], In 1958, the band made its first European tour. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. Some argue Basie made some of his best work during the 1960s and 70sShiny Stocking, Lil Darlin, Corner Pocket,and even a hit single,Everyday I Have the Blues, with Joe Williams. The band survived Basie's death, with ex-Basie-ite trumpeter Thad Jones directing until his death in 1986. 5 How old was Catherine Basie when she died? The World of Count Basie. William James "Count" Basie learned how to play the piano at an early age under his mothers instructions. Within a year Swing-era bandleader noted for his theme songs One O'Clock Jump from 1937 and April in Paris from 1932. the arrangements that enabled his band to break through a year earlier, lent Mr. Basie some of his arrangements. Count Basie was a bandleader and pianist who was at the forefront of American big band music in the mid-twentieth century. He is survived by a daughter, Diane Basie of Freeport. What Is The Origin Of Springerle Cookies? His Family After a decade long courtship, Basie married dancer Catherine Morgan, his second wife, on his birthday in 1942. Mr. Hammond spread the word about the Basie band, "One night the announcer called me to the microphone for those usual few words of introduction," Mr. Basie once recalled. "Of course, I wanted to play real jazz. His wife, Catherine, had died in 1983; they had one daughter. After automobiles replaced horses, his father became a groundskeeper and handyman for several wealthy families in the area. In 2005, Count Basie's song "One O'Clock Jump" (1937) was included by the National Recording Preservation Board in the Library of Congress National Recording Registry. Both of Basies parents were hard workers. Then he said, 'Bill, I think I'll call you Count Basie from now on. The key Count Basie made most of his albums with his big band. [41], Hammond introduced Basie to Billie Holiday, whom he invited to sing with the band. half a year later. for the next quarter of a century. was a member of the Basie band in the 1940's. a few moments before. non-soloing brass and reeds). After automobiles replaced horses, his father became a groundskeeper and handyman for several families in the area. New York: Random House, 1985. 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. Born: August 21, 1904 . Eventually, Moten generously let Basie sit in on piano. She was 67 years old. Soon after, Benny Goodman recorded their signature "One O'Clock Jump" with his band. The couple were true socialites - often gathering with friends including celebrities Frank Sinatra, Jerry Lewis, Sammy Davis, Jr., and Basie protg Quincy Jones. "I wanted my 13-piece band to work together just like those nine pieces," he explained. 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. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. Provide Feedback Form. Bandleader, arranger and pianist Fletcher Henderson is one of the most influential and yet least-known jazz masters. It was a loose and swinging band, built around distinctively individualistic solos by Lester Hollywood, Florida, on April 26, 1984. [26] A year later, Basie joined Bennie Moten's band, and played with them until Moten died in 1935 from a failed tonsillectomy. Died: April 26, 1984 Hollywood, Florida African American bandleader and musician Count Basie was an extremely popular figure in the jazz world for half a century. He was 79 years old and lived in Freeport, the Bahamas. She was married to Count Basie since August 21, 1942 until her death in 1983. 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. He developed a new style of jazz called bebop. Frank Sinatra recorded for the first time with Basie on 1962's Sinatra-Basie and for a second studio album on 1964's It Might as Well Be Swing, which was arranged by Quincy Jones. The [68] He was a guest on ABC's The Pat Boone Chevy Showroom, a venue also opened to several other black entertainers. He reformed his group as a 16-piece orchestra in 1952. [73], On April 11, 1983, Catherine Basie died of heart disease at the couple's home in Freeport, Grand Bahama Island. Services will be private. William Basie was born in Red Bank, New Jersey, on August 21, 1904. 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. Hes survived by his disabled daughter, Diane, who was allegedly the victim of a robbery at the hands of her late father's friend. Advertisement When Basie died of pancreatic cancer in 1984 at the age of 79, he left his $1.5 million fortune in a trust to provide for Diane. Early years William Basie was born in Red Bank, New Jersey, on August 21, 1904. the personnel, and formed the first Count Basie Orchestra. His home for many years was in Freeport, the Bahamas; he died of cancer at Doctors' Hospital in Hollywood, Florida, on April 26, 1984. "Can you imagine a man who kind of romps around the piano," Mr. Shearing said, (193545) was unquestionably Basie's greatest. Jazz Musician. 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 morning at Doctors Hospital in Hollywood, Fla. favorites, "Jumpin' at the Woodside" and Individuals Count Basie, byname of William Basie, (born August 21, 1904, Red Bank, New Jersey, U.S.died April 26, 1984, Hollywood, Florida), American jazz musician noted for his spare, economical piano style and for his leadership of influential and widely heralded big bands. 132 West 138th Street. Basie recalled a review, which said something like, "We caught the great Count Basie band which is supposed to be so hot he was going to come in here and set the Roseland on fire. Dropping out of junior high school, Basie learned to operate lights for vaudeville and to improvise piano accompaniment for silent films at the local movie theater in his hometown that would eventually become the Count Basie Theatre. He was a fine pianist and leader of one of the greatest jazz bands in history. band's theme song, "One O'Clock Jump," Best Answer Copy William "Count" Basie and his wife Catherine had a daughter, Diane, who lived in Freeport, Bahamas at the time of Basie's death in 1984. By clicking Accept All, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. His father played the mellophone, and his mother played the piano; in fact, she gave Basie his first piano lessons. [24] During a stay in Chicago, Basie recorded with the band. Basie was married in two occasions, first to Vivian Lee Winn from 1930 to 1935, and later to Catherine Morgan, from 1940 until her death in 1983. 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.) When the band left for Chicago it had only 12 written arrangements in its book. We proudly celebrate Red Bank New Jersey's most famous musical son during . William James "Count" Basie (/besi/; August 21, 1904 April 26, 1984)[1] was an American jazz pianist, organist, bandleader, and composer. Mr. Basie, a short, stocky, taciturn but witty man who liked to wear a yachting cap offstage, presided over the band at the piano with apparent utmost casualness. A year later, Basie joinedBennie_Motens band, and played with them until Motens death in 1935. "April in Paris," which became the trademark of the band By the mid-1950s, Basie's band had become one of the preeminent backing big bands for some of the most prominent jazz vocalists of the time. I thought he was kidding, shrugged my shoulders and replied, 'O.K.' recordings, the 1943 musicians' strike, the strain of era he also shared the less appealing one-nighters (a series of single or complete the Report Accessibility Barrier or 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. When Basie died of pancreatic cancer in 1984 at the age of 79, he left his $1.5 million fortune in a trust to provide for Diane. 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. His Rhythm," "Dinah," or "Lady, Be Good." It went so well; it was so thrilling and exciting". The band broadcast from the Reno Club on an experimental radio station. But Moten was an expert piano player himself, and Basie fashioned a job for himself as the bands staff arranger. Jazz at Santa . 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 Gonzel White show was stranded in Kansas City, Mo., a fateful location for Mr. Basie. William Basie was born to Lillian and Harvey Lee Basie in Red Bank, New Jersey. In 1935, Bennie Moten died and it was left to Basie to take some of the musicians from that orchestra and form his own, The Count Basie Orchestra, which is still alive and well today some 78 years later. Good Morning Blues: The Autobiography of Count Basie. A father of bebop, he influenced generations of musicians, and sparked the fire of one of the most important and successful American artistic movements.