Count Basie
Known for Acting · 49 credits
- Born
- 1904-08-21
- Died
- 1984-04-26
- Place of birth
- Red Bank, New Jersey, USA
- Also known as
- William James Basie
Biography
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.
Known For
TV Shows (13)
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
1962
as Self
The Mike Douglas Show
1961
as Self
The Merv Griffin Show
1962
as Self
The Ed Sullivan Show
1948
as Self
The Steve Allen Show
1956
as Self - Conductor / Self - Pianist / Self - Bandleader
The Dinah Shore Chevy Show
1956
as Self
Startime
1959
as Self
The Hollywood Palace
1964
as Self - Pianist
The Kennedy Center Honors
1978
as Self
ABC Stage 67
1966
as Self
The Judy Garland Show
1963
as Self
The Big Show
1980
as Self
Cavalcade of Bands
1950
Movies (36)
Blazing Saddles
1974
as Self
Rat Pack
2022
as Self (archive footage)
Sid & Judy
2019
as Self (archive footage)
Cinderfella
1960
as Count Basie
Crazy House
1943
as Count Basie
Louis Armstrong's Black & Blues
2022
as Self (voice) (archive sound)
Made in Paris
1966
as Count Basie
Stage Door Canteen
1943
as Count Basie
Jamboree!
1957
as Count Basie
Billie
2020
as self
Top Man
1943
as Orchestra Leader
Piano Blues
2003
as Self (archive footage)
Rhythm and Blues Revue
1955
as Self
All-Star Jazz Show: Live from The Ed Sullivan Theater
2011
as Self
The Harlem Renaissance
2004
as Self (archive footage)
Improvisation
2004
as Self
Frank Sinatra Spectacular
1965
as Self
Bluesland: A Portrait in American Music
1993
as Self (archive footage)
Count Basie: Through His Own Eyes
2020
New York in the Fifties
2001
as Self
Jazz Legends in Their Own Words
2014
as Self (archive footage)
Air Mail Special
1941
as Self
The Last Of The Blue Devils - The Kansas City Jazz Story
1979
as Self
Judy Garland Duets
2005
as Self (archive footage)
Ebony Parade
as (archive footage)
Frank Sinatra: The Man and His Music
1981
as Self
Charlie Parker: Bird Songs
2022
as Self (archive footage)
'Sugar Chile' Robinson, Billie Holiday, Count Basie and His Sextet
1951
Music Inn
2007
as Himself (archive footage)
Astaire Time
1960
as Self
Policy Man
1938
as Count Basie
Jazz Icons: Count Basie Live in '62
2006
as Himself
Count Basie At Carnegie Hall
1981
as Self
Basie Boogie
1950
Norman Granz’ Jazz in Montreaux presents Ella and Basie '79—"The Perfect Match"
1979
as Sself (Piano, Conductor)
Take Me Back, Baby
1941
About Count Basie
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… With 49 credits spanning from 1938 to 2022, Count Basie has appeared in 36 films and 13 TV shows.
Fans searching for Count Basie movies, Count Basie filmography, or the latest projects starring Count Basie can stream many of these titles on Bowood.TV, free and in HD, with no subscription required.
Most Popular Count Basie Movies
- Blazing Saddles (1974) — as Self
- Rat Pack (2022) — as Self (archive footage)
- Sid & Judy (2019) — as Self (archive footage)
- Cinderfella (1960) — as Count Basie
- Crazy House (1943) — as Count Basie
Where to Watch Count Basie Films
Most Count Basie movies and series are available to stream on Bowood.TV in full HD, completely free and without signup. Browse the complete filmography above to jump directly to any title. For more films and the latest web series featuring Count Basie, check our movies catalogue and browse page.