- Born
- Died
- Birth nameWilliam James Basie
- Nicknames
- The Count
- The Kid from Red Bank
- Height5′ 9″ (1.75 m)
- The famed composer ("One O'Clock Jump", "Two O'Clock Jump", "Jumpin' at the Woodside"), pianist, songwriter and bandleader began as an accompanist to vaudeville acts. He joined the Bennie Moten orchestra in Kansas City, later organizing his own orchestra and performing on radio. In 1936 he came to New York, appearing in hotels, night clubs, theatres and jazz festivals. He toured the US, and also, in 1954, Europe. He was elected to the Down Beat Magazine's Hall of Fame in 1958, and has made many records. Joining ASCAP in 1943, his chief musical collaborators included Mack David, Jerry Livingston, James Rushing, Andy Gibson, Eddie Durham, and Lester Young. His songs and instrumentals also include "Good Morning Blues"; "Every Tub"; "John's Idea"; "Basie Boogie"; "Blue and Sentimental"; "Gone With the Wind"; "I Ain't Mad at You"; "Futile Frustration"; "Good Bait"; "Don't You Miss Your Baby?"; "Miss Thing" "Riff Interlude"; "Panassie Stomp: "Shorty George"; "Out the Window"; "Hollywood Jump: "Nobody Knows"; "Swinging at the Daisy Chain"; and "I Left My Baby".
- IMDb mini biography by: Hup234!
- SpousesCatherine Morgan(August 21, 1942 - April 11, 1983) (her death, 1 child)Vivian Lee(July 21, 1930 - 1935) (divorced)
- ChildrenDebra Basie
- ParentsHarvey Lee BasieLillie Childs
- RelativesLeroy(Sibling)
- His signature captain's hat
- In his hometown of Red Bank, NJ, the Carlton Theater (which opened in 1926) on Monmouth St. was renamed the Count Basie Theatre in 1984 in his honor.
- Pictured on one of a set of four 29¢ US commemorative postage stamps in the Legends of American Music series, issued 11 September 1996, celebrating big band leaders. Other singers honored in this issue are Tommy Dorsey and Jimmy Dorsey; Glenn Miller; and Benny Goodman.
- Inducted into the Big Band and Jazz Hall of Fame in 1981.
- Jazz pianist and orchestra leader.
- He was nominated for the 2008 New Jersey Hall of Fame for his services and contributions to Arts and Entertainment.
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