Count Basie (1904-1984) The title of one of his bands most famous tunes The Kid from Red Bank is an obvious tip-off, but many jazz historians assume that William J. Birthday: August 21, 1904. He also hired arrangers who knew how to maximize the band's abilities, such as Eddie Durham and Jimmy Mundy. Mr. Basie's band, more than any other, was the factor in popularizing it was a series of repetitions of the final few bars when, as the orchestra seemingly came to the end of the piece, Mr. Basie held up a finger and called out, "One mo' It was here that he was introduced to the big-band sound when he joined Walter Pages Blue Devils in 1928. Basie studied music with his mother and was later influenced by the Harlem pianists James P. Johnson and Fats Waller, receiving informal tutelage on the organ from the latter. Once the musicians found what they liked, they usually were able to repeat it using their "head arrangements" and collective memory.[44]. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". 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. Early after his arrival, he bumped into Sonny Greer, who was by then the drummer for the Washingtonians, Duke Ellington's early band. It was during this time that he was given the nickname The award was received by Aaron Woodward. Unostentatious as Mr. Basie appeared, his presence was a vital factor in directing his band or any group of musicians with whom he might be playing. What Is The Origin Of Springerle Cookies? Sinatra later said of this concert "I have a funny feeling that those two nights could have been my finest hour, really. Here is all you want to know, and more! [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". Basie died April 26, 1984 in Hollywood, FL but his legacy is still swinging strong. Is that all right with you?' Their only child, Diane, was born February 6, 1944. [45] In early 1938, the Savoy was the meeting ground for a "battle of the bands" with Chick Webb's group. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. Then he said, 'Bill, I think I'll call you Count Basie from now on. 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. Individuals with disabilities are 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 [12][13] His touring took him to Kansas City, St. Louis, New Orleans, and Chicago. on a motorized wheelchair which he sometimes drove with joyful abandon. His piano style, which often seemed bare and simple, was an exquisitely realized condensation of the florid "stride" style of Fats Waller and James P. Johnson with whom Mr. Basie started. The key Basie's new band played at the Reno Club and sometimes were broadcast on local radio. The band will continue under the guidance of Aaron Woodward, an adopted son of Mr. Basie who has worked closely with the orchestra leader during the last year. "He commented that Bill Basie was a rather ordinary name and that 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. Basie was a member of Omega Psi Phi fraternity. 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. During this period he also recorded with music greats, Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr., Jackie Wilson, Dizzy Gillespie and Oscar Peterson. Basie led his jazz orchestra almost continuously for nearly 50 years. One of them, Aaron Woodward, a Long Island Baptist pastor and accountant, was considered an informally adopted son by Basie, according to a report by Jet magazine. Basie gave up her career to care for their daughter, who was mentally retarded, and their two adopted sons. Your email address will not be published. It does not store any personal data. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". 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. From that time on, I was a daily customer, hanging When William James "Count" Basie died of cancer in 1984, he left his $1.5 million fortune in a trust to provide for his only child. When that band broke up in 1929, he Bennie Moten's band Diane died peacefully on October 15 after suffering a heart attack a few days before. Late one night with time to fill, the band started improvising. [2][3] His father worked as a coachman and caretaker for a wealthy judge. A stocky, handsome man with heavy-lidded eyes and a sly smile, Basie was His home for many years was in Freeport, the Bahamas; he died of cancer at Doctors' Hospital in Hollywood, Florida, on April 26, 1984. accessibility issues with Rutgers web sites to accessibility@rutgers.edu Swing-era bandleader noted for his theme songs One O'Clock Jump from 1937 and April in Paris from 1932. Red Bank, New Jersey Some time around 1964, Basie adopted his trademark yachting cap.[71]. They have one child. [5] Greer and Basie played together in venues until Greer set out on his professional career. On Moten's death in 1935, Basie and several other core band members formed their own ensemble, the Barons of Rhythm. In 1949, the Basie family moved one of the premier neighborhoods open to African American families Addsleigh Park in St. Albans, Queens, New York. What disability did Count Basies daughter have? He went out on tour with on the vaudeville and TOBA circuits again until his performance group disbanded in the mid-1920s, leaving him stuck in Kansas City. "heads"arrangements worked out without planning in Despite being born with cerebral palsy, Diane surpassed expectations due to the excellent love and support she received from her parents, family, friends, and caretakers and her indomitable spirit. Date of Death: April 26, 1984. Discouraged by the obvious talents of Sonny Greer, who also lived in Red Bank and became Duke Ellington's drummer in 1919, Basie switched to piano exclusively at age 15. Benjamin Bennie Moten (November 13, 1894 April 2, 1935) was an American jazz pianist and band leader born and raised in Kansas City, Missouri, United States. 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. [27] According to Basie, "we hit it with the rhythm section and went into the riffs, and the riffs just stuck. With many of the other big bands of the swing But Moten was an expert piano player himself, and Basie fashioned a job for himself as the bands staff arranger. the arrangements that enabled his band to break through a year earlier, lent Mr. Basie some of his arrangements. E-Commerce Site for Mobius GPO Members count basie daughter died. 2023 NYP Holdings, Inc. 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Provide Feedback Form, Rutgers, The State University of Count Basie made most of his albums with his big band. Many other bands later adapted the split tenor arrangement. In 1935, he formed the Count Basie Orchestra, and in 1936 took them to Chicago for a long engagement and their first recording. 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. fast-paced tunes designed to excite the audience. Basie earned nine Grammy Awardsand made history in 1958 by becoming the first African-American to receive the award. One of them, Aaron Woodward, a Long Island Baptist pastor and accountant, was considered an informally adopted son by Basie, according to a report by Jet magazine. dealing with the egos of his musicians. 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, and others. It was at this time that he began to be known as "Count" Basie (see Jazz royalty).[19]. "And that's when the whole fire started," said Mr. Alexander. favorites, "Jumpin' at the Woodside" and traveled to by bus). 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. 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.". Home | About | Contact | Copyright | Privacy | Cookie Policy | Terms & Conditions | Sitemap. Now Joy Rosenthal, a court-appointed lawyer who is Dianes replacement guardian, wants to jail or fine Woodward, 68. They paced themselves to save their hottest numbers for later in the show, to give the audience a chance to warm up. Count Basie is considered one of the greatest bandleaders of all times. next five years. 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). These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. Basie appointed Aaron Woodward, a Long Island Baptist pastor and accountant, to be Dianes guardian. Age at Death: 79. But in 2012, Manhattan Surrogates Court Justice Kristin Booth Glen removed Woodward from his guardian role after he failed to account for money that belonged to Diane. How old was Catherine Basie when she died? "I wanted 13 men to think and play the same way. After a decade-long courtship, Basie married dancer Catherine Morgan, his second wife, on his birthday in 1942. The Count Meets the Duke, each providing four numbers from their play books. Diane died peacefully on October 15 after suffering a heart attack a few days before. 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 desktop goose android. The band survived Basie's death, with ex-Basie-ite trumpeter Thad Jones directing until his death in 1986. Biography - A Short Wiki. How do I choose between my boyfriend and my best friend? 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. Two years later, they were the most famous African American band in the country. 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. hired him. Begin typing your search term above and press enter to search. We proudly celebrate Red Bank New Jersey's most famous musical son during . Undismayed by Chick's forceful drum beating, which sent the audience into shouts of encouragement and appreciation and casual beads of perspiration to drop from Chick's brow onto the brass cymbals, the Count maintained an attitude of poise and self-assurance. By clicking Accept All, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. 1415. superior arrangements (reflecting Basie's good taste) and the for the next quarter of a century. 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. cushion. saxophonist Lester Young. They had direct lines to presidents, occasionally exchanging personal telegrams giving well wishes. band a permanent place in jazz history. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. Rutgers is an equal access/equal opportunity institution. Count was 79 years old at the time of death. at Doctors' Hospital in Hollywood, Fla. time!". Born: August 21, 1904 Good Morning Blues: The Autobiography of Count Basie. the band developed its own variation of the Kansas City swing He joined Walter Page's Blue Devils in 1928, and a year later, he started to play with Bennie Moten's band in Kansas City. 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. ***** All concert dates after Count Basie's death are for The Count Basie Orchestra ***** Discography. 1981 interview cited in "The Lester Young Story" (Properbox 16), pp. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. 'No,' I said, 'but I'd [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. Count Basie was born on August 21, 1904 and died on April 26, 1984. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". I thought he was kidding, shrugged my shoulders and replied, 'O.K.' The Black Music Association honored Mr. Basie in 1982 with a gala at Radio City Music Hall. Eventually, Moten generously let Basie sit in on piano. 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. Today, Charlie Yardbird Parker is considered one of the great musical innovators of the 20th century. And it was a seven-day week. [58] They played to a crowd of 15,000. [15], Back in Harlem in 1925, Basie gained his first steady job at Leroy's, a place known for its piano players and its "cutting contests". On July 21, 1930, Basie married Vivian Lee Winn, in Kansas City, Missouri. Basie's band regularly worked some of the better [8], Though a natural at the piano, Basie preferred drums. After a decade long courtship, Basie married dancer Catherine Morgan, his second wife, on his birthday in 1942. 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 6 Who was Count Basies adopted son on Long Island? In the early 1970s, the Basies moved to the warmer climate of Freeport, Bahamas. 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. For the next two years he led small bands between six and nine pieces. He reformed his group as a 16-piece orchestra in 1952. He got used to seeing me, as though I were part of the show. With Mr. Basie's 13 men in full cry at one end of this elongated closet, the sound ricocheting off the walls and rocketing down from the low ceiling, no listener could escape the exhilarating power in a 14th Street dance hall. We collect and tell stories of people from all around the world. William James "Count" Basie (/besi/; August 21, 1904 April 26, 1984)[1] was an American jazz pianist, organist, bandleader, and composer. The 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 . What pianist and his orchestra were really popular in the big band era? 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. band in 1950, juggling combinations of all-star musicians. New York: C. Scribner's Sons, 1980. Well, the Roseland is still standing". It is with a heavy heart that we share the news of the passing of Diane Lillian Basie (1944-2022), the beloved only child of the legendary jazz musician, William James "Count" Basie and his wife, Catherine Morgan Basie. Basie made a few more movie appearances, such as in the Jerry Lewis film Cinderfella (1960) and the Mel Brooks movie Blazing Saddles (1974), playing a revised arrangement of "April in Paris". "April in Paris" (arrangement by Wild Bill Davis) was a best-selling instrumental and the title song for the hit album. [24] During a stay in Chicago, Basie recorded with the band. on the stand. encouraged to direct suggestions, comments, or complaints concerning any accessibility issues Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. epitome of swing, of jazz that moved with a built-in flowing intensity. 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. According to court papers, Diane is severely retarded and only marginally communicative, so Basie left two co-trustees he considered his close friends in charge of his estate and his daughter. His personnel around 1937 included: Lester Young and Herschel Evans (tenor sax), Freddie Green (guitar), Jo Jones (drums), Walter Page (bass), Earle Warren (alto sax), Buck Clayton and Harry Edison (trumpet), Benny Morton and Dickie Wells (trombone). The band flopped at a Pittsburgh hotel that had never booked a jazz band before. We set the thing up front in D-flat, and then we just went on playing in F." It became his signature tune. He played piano with them, with one interruption, for the This page was last edited on 3 February 2023, at 01:33. Billie Holiday (born Eleanora Fagan; April 7, 1915 - July 17, 1959) was an American jazz and swing music singer. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. onenighters, and the bebop revolution of the mid-1940s all played a role Then I sat beside him and he taught me.". 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. She was 67 years old. The couple had an only daughter, Diane Basie, whos now a 74-year-old disabled woman. William Basie was born in Red Bank, New Jersey, on August 21, 1904. This provided an early training that was to prove significant in his later career. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. [42] The band's first appearance at the Apollo Theater followed, with the vocalists Holiday and Jimmy Rushing getting the most attention. With Billy Eckstine on the album Basie/Eckstine Incorporated, in 1959. band's achievements was its fifty-year survival in a culture that Ellington's (18991974), the most famous African American Provide Feedback Form. William James " Count " Basie ( / besi /; August 21, 1904 - April 26, 1984) [1] was an American jazz pianist, organist, bandleader, and composer. Lena Horne, Stevie Wonder, Joe Williams, Oscar Peterson and Quincy Jones were among the stars to pay tribute. 1928. I sat on the floor watching his feet and using my hands to imitate him. [61] Basie also added flute to some numbers, a novelty at the time that became widely copied. His mother paid 25 cents per piano lesson for him . The World of Count Basie. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. 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). Behind the occasional bebop solos, he always kept his strict rhythmic pulse, "so it doesn't matter what they do up front; the audience gets the beat". Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. 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. It went so well; it was so thrilling and exciting". Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Basie's band was sharing Birdland with such bebop musicians as Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, and Miles Davis. [35] Lester Young, known as "Prez" by the band, came up with nicknames for all the other band members. Count Basie is considered one of the greatest bandleaders of all times. When he came back to Harlem, Fats Waller showed him how to play the organ, and Willie the Lion Smith took him under his wing. The agent, Willard Alexander, said Mrs. He had an incredible ear, and could repeat any tune he heard. "I wanted my 13-piece band to work together just like those nine pieces," he explained. The Count Basie Orchestra had a slew of hits that helped to define the big-band sound of the 1930s and 40s. era he also shared the less appealing one-nighters (a series of single But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. It was released by Roulette Records, then later reissued by Capitol Records. 3 What pianist lead the most successful band in Kansas City? The agent, Willard Alexander, said Mrs. Basie died while her husband was appearing at the Royal York Hotel in Toronto. Early years William Basie was born in Red Bank, New Jersey, on August 21, 1904. Charlie Parker forever changed the performance and writing of jazz music. band in America. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. He became an accompanist to the blues singers Clara Smith and Maggie Jones and he worked We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. 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. ", Basie at the piano, 1955, in a photographic portrait by, Los Angeles and the Cavalcade of Jazz concerts. expensive blunder in Basie's history," said Mr. Hammond) that included hit after hit--"Swingin' the Blues," "Jumpin' at the Woodside," "One O'Clock 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). count basie daughter died. Basie, Count. Within a year She was born with cerebral palsy and the doctors claimed she would never walk. The Basie band was looser and had a more relaxed swing feeling. Famed record producer and journalist, John Hammond, heard the bands broadcast and began writing about the Orchestra to gain their attention. Perhaps the most startling of the Mr. Basie's wife, Catherine, died in April 1983. supported by sectional riffing (the repeating of a musical figure by the We've received your submission. "Lester Leaps In," were created as features for Basie Please fill in your e-mail so we can share with you our top stories. [65], In 1958, the band made its first European tour. There were often no musical notations made. His touring took him to Kansas City, St. Louis, New Orleans, and Chicago. 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. 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. Most swing musicians know what the Count Basie ending is: three rhythmically-spaced chords followed by a low, emphatic exclamation point. The word Splank for Basie was coined by Sinatra a good onomatopoeic description of the lick. was a member of the Basie band in the 1940's. He and his band recorded with Throughout his tours, Basie met many jazz musicians, including Louis Armstrong. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); 2023 FAQS Clear - All Rights Reserved "When they let you in the door," Ralph Gleason, the jazz critic, reported, "it was like jumping into the center of a whirlwind. In 1957, Basie the live album Count Basie at Newport. Next, Basie played at the Savoy, which was noted more for lindy-hopping, while the Roseland was a place for fox-trots and congas. Count Basie was a bandleader and pianist who was at the forefront of American big band music in the mid-twentieth century. since many of Mr. Basie's musicians were blowing patched-up horns and saxophones held together by rubber bands). with trumpeter Thad Jones directing until his own death in 1986. They had one daughter, Diane, in 1944. They took up a regular engagement at Kansas City's Reno Club, and broadcast a nightly radio show. One day he asked me whether I played the organ. [74], Count Basie died of pancreatic cancer in Hollywood, Florida, on April 26, 1984, at the age of 79.[1]. 2022-06-30; wreck on 1942 crosby, tx today . 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. William James "Count" Basie learned how to play the piano at an early age under his mothers instructions. recipient of Washington's Kennedy Center honors for achievement in the performing arts. Report Accessibility Barrier or She died in 1983. His wife, Catherine, had died in 1983. The big band era appeared to have ended after the war, and Basie disbanded the group. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. 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. [69] That summer, Basie and Duke Ellington combined forces for the recording First Time! 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. His wife, Catherine, had died in skilled performers (reflecting Basie's sound management) gave the Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. He was 79 years old and lived in Freeport, the Bahamas.