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New York: C. Scribner's Sons, 1980. Among his band's best-known numbers were "One O'Clock Jump," "Jumpin' at the Woodside," "Li'l Darlin'" and "April in Paris.". Individuals Many other bands later adapted the split tenor arrangement. with disabilities are encouraged to direct suggestions, comments, or complaints concerning any They had one daughter, Diane, in 1944. For the next two years he led small bands between six and nine pieces. [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". band in 1950, juggling combinations of all-star musicians. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. 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. The agent, Willard Alexander, said Mrs. Is the Count Basie Orchestra still alive? 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. Who was Count Basies adopted son on Long Island? 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). Through Mr. Waller, Mr. Basie got a job as an accompanist with a vaudeville act called Katie Crippen and Her Kids. Required fields are marked *. (This became known as the New Testament Band, while the first Orchestra was the Old Testament Band.) They played command performances for kings, queens and presidents, and issued a large number of recordings both under Basies name and as the backing band for various singers, most notably Frank Sinatra. Jazz at Santa . Around 1924 Basie moved toHarlem, a hotbed for jazz, where his career started to quickly take off. Darlin'"), Ernie Wilkins and Frank Foster ("Shiny Stockings") were among the most notable orchestrators. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. But I wanted that bite to be just as tasty and subtle as if it were the three brass I used to use. 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. Mr. Hammond spread the word about the Basie band, "Can you imagine a man who kind of romps around the piano," Mr. Shearing said, skilled performers (reflecting Basie's sound management) gave the The couple had an only daughter, Diane Basie, whos now a 74-year-old disabled woman. 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. 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. and Sarah Vaughan (19241990). On July 21, 1930, Basie married Vivian Lee Winn, in Kansas City, Missouri. What pianist lead the most successful band in Kansas City? 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. 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. 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. While he was in his late teens, he gravitated to Harlem, where he encountered Fats Waller. in the death of the big-band era. [1] As he did with Duke Ellington, Willie "the Lion" Smith helped Basie out during the lean times by arranging gigs at "house-rent parties", introducing him to other leading musicians, and teaching him some piano technique. 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.) The funeral service will be at noon on Monday at the Abyssinian Baptist Church, [27] According to Basie, "we hit it with the rhythm section and went into the riffs, and the riffs just stuck. Basie heard Bennie Motens band, and longed to play with them. All We Know about the Award-Winning Composer, His Life, and Legacy, Rich Old Man Left More than $10M Estate to 11 Heirs One Keeps Portion Worth Millions for Herself, Who Is Lionel Richie Married To? Bandleader, arranger and pianist Fletcher Henderson is one of the most influential and yet least-known jazz masters. New Jersey, Report Accessibility Barrier or And it was a seven-day week. 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. Sinatra later said of this concert "I have a funny feeling that those two nights could have been my finest hour, really. Basie's band was sharing Birdland with such bebop musicians as Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, and Miles Davis. Teaches Jazz. [41], Hammond introduced Basie to Billie Holiday, whom he invited to sing with the band. 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. band in America. In May 2019, Basie was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame at a ceremony in Memphis, TN, presented by The Blues Foundation. 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". Diane died peacefully on October 15 after suffering a heart attack a few days before. Died: April 26, 1984 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. By 1937 Basie's band was, with the possible exception of Duke 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. Mr. Basie's wife, Catherine, died in April 1983. When Young complained of Herschel Evans' vibrato, Basie placed them on either side of the alto players, and soon had the tenor players engaged in "duels". The couple had an only daughter, Diane Basie, whos now a 74-year-old disabled woman. ", The jazz pianist George Shearing said that Mr. Basie's greatest trademark was the three sweet, soft notes that ended many of his great swing-era compositions. 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. He was 79 years old and lived in Freeport, the Bahamas. non-soloing brass and reeds). In 1976 Basie suffered a heart attack, but he returned to the bandstand In 1981, Mr. Basie was honored along with Cary Grant, Helen Hayes and other stars as a . However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The new band included: Paul Campbell, Tommy Turrentine, Johnny Letman, Idrees Sulieman, and Joe Newman (trumpet); Jimmy Wilkins, Benny Powell, Matthew Gee (trombone); Paul Quinichette and Floyd "Candy" Johnson (tenor sax); Marshal Royal and Ernie Wilkins (alto sax); and Charlie Fowlkes (baritone sax). Age at Death: 79. 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. They had one daughter, Diane, in 1944. This page was last edited on 3 February 2023, at 01:33. to bite with real guts. The Gonzel White show was stranded in Kansas City, Mo., a fateful location for Mr. Basie. Report Accessibility Barrier or [49] Adding to their play book, Basie received arrangements from Jimmy Mundy (who had also worked with Benny Goodman and Earl Hines), particularly for "Cherokee", "Easy Does It", and "Super Chief". We proudly celebrate Red Bank New Jersey's most famous musical son during . 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. for the next quarter of a century. [67] The Basie band made two tours in the British Isles and on the second, they put on a command performance for Queen Elizabeth II, along with Judy Garland, Vera Lynn, and Mario Lanza. Please fill in your e-mail so we can share with you our top stories. 1415. [61] Basie also added flute to some numbers, a novelty at the time that became widely copied. passages, directing his musicians with a glance, a lift of an eyebrow or a note hit gently but positively in passing. 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). [33] When he made the Vocalion recordings, Basie had already signed with Decca Records, but did not have his first recording session with them until January 1937. "He was a wonderful man. He said that Norman Granz got them into the Birdland club and promoted the new band through recordings on the Mercury, Clef, and Verve labels. He developed a new style of jazz called bebop. [25] The band improved with several personnel changes, including the addition of tenor saxophonist Ben Webster. 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. hired him. His wife, Catherine, had died in 1983. After working briefly as house organist in a What pianist and his orchestra were really popular in the big band era? [31] Hammond first heard Basie's band on the radio and went to Kansas City to check them out. They had one daughter. of the band. 2022-06-30; wreck on 1942 crosby, tx today Page, Mr. Basie and Mr. Rushing all joined Bennie Moten's orchestra, the leading big band in the Southwest, which became even stronger with their presence. 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We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. To help it through the Grand Terrace engagement, Fletcher Henderson, who had provided Benny Goodman with 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. Even in Harlem, it puzzled the aware audiences at the Savoy Ballroom. The Barons of Rhythm were regulars at the Reno Club and often performed for a live radio broadcast. William Basie was born in Red Bank, New Jersey, on August 21, 1904. [58] They played to a crowd of 15,000. Jazz icon, Count Basie, was born William James Basie August 21, 1904 in Red Bank, New Jersey. He married Catherine Morgan on July 13, 1940, in the King County courthouse in Seattle, Washington. cushion. His daughter, Diane Basie, now 71 and living in Florida with full-time caregivers, is severely retarded and only marginally communicative, according to court papers. 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. On May 23, 1985, William "Count" Basie was presented, posthumously, with the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Ronald Reagan. After Motens death in 1935, Basie started his band, the Count Basie Orchestra. band's theme song, "One O'Clock Jump," The Barons of Rhythm were regulars at the Reno Club and often performed for a live radio broadcast. After a decade-long courtship, Basie married dancer Catherine Morgan, his second wife, on his birthday in 1942. expensive blunder in Basie's history," said Mr. Hammond) that included hit after hit--"Swingin' the Blues," "Jumpin' at the Woodside," "One O'Clock 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. His father played the mellophone, and his mother played the piano; in fact, she gave Basie his first piano lessons. "heads"arrangements worked out without planning in This provided an early training that was to prove significant in his later career. See, Basie couldnt read music, so it was Eddie Durham who orchestrated his ideas for the Moten band and then later for the Basie band in New York for those Decca recordings. Soloists were less prominent in this second edition of the Basie band although it included some of the major jazz musicians of the post-50's years, such as Thad Jones, Joe Newman, Al Grey, Eddie William James "Count" Basie learned how to play the piano at an early age under his mothers instructions. He also hired arrangers who knew how to maximize the band's abilities, such as Eddie Durham and Jimmy Mundy. Rutgers is an equal access/equal opportunity institution. His name was Louis Armstrong. [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. It was during this time that he was given the nickname Hes survived by his disabled daughter, Diane, who was allegedly the victim of a robbery at the hands of her late father's friend. His wife, Catherine, had died in Basie reorganized the Orchestra in 1952 and this new band was in high demand and toured extensively around the world. Red Bank, New Jersey But the obvious talents of another young Red Bank drummer, Sonny Greer, How did the bands of Count Basie and Duke Ellington differ? 6 Who was Count Basies adopted son on Long Island? superior arrangements (reflecting Basie's good taste) and the supported by sectional riffing (the repeating of a musical figure by the the Basie band struggled for a year after it left Kansas City. At 16. Ella Fitzgerald made some memorable recordings with Basie, including the 1963 album Ella and Basie!. We set the thing up front in D-flat, and then we just went on playing in F." It became his signature tune. Now Joy Rosenthal, a court-appointed lawyer who is Dianes replacement guardian, wants to jail or fine Woodward, 68. Basie's band regularly worked some of the better She was 67 years old. The Count Basie Orchestra, today directed by Scotty Barnhart, has won every respected jazz poll in the world at least once, won 18 Grammy Awards, performed for Kings, Queens, and other world Royalty, appeared in several movies, television shows, at every major jazz festival and major concert hall in the world. The pianist in the combo gave up his seat to Mr. Basie who sat down, tinkled a few [24] During a stay in Chicago, Basie recorded with the band. Count Basie, Jr. was a native of Kansas City, Missouri. He reformed his group as a 16-piece orchestra in 1952. Count Basie is considered one of the greatest bandleaders of all times. In 1957, Basie the live album Count Basie at Newport. However, throughout the 1940s, he maintained a big band that possessed an infectious rhythmic beat, an enthusiastic team spirit, and a long list of inspired and talented jazz soloists. [54] They also continued to record for OKeh Records and Columbia Records. ', "The next day he invited me to sit in the pit and start working the pedals. Mr. Alexander agreed to lend the club $2,500 to install an air-conditioner if it would book Here is all you want to know, and more! showcase the band's brilliant soloists. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. By then, Basie was playing with pick-up groups for dances, resorts, and amateur shows, including Harry Richardson's "Kings of Syncopation". desktop goose android. recordings, the 1943 musicians' strike, the strain of Count Basie. This familiar pattern was evident in the "[64] In 1957, Basie sued the jazz venue Ball and Chain in Miami over outstanding fees, causing the closure of the venue. He flicked out tightly economical, single-finger He rose to fame after taking over Bennie Moten's band in 1935. [5][6], The best student in school, Basie dreamed of a traveling life, inspired by touring carnivals which came to town. favorites, "Jumpin' at the Woodside" and 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. on a motorized wheelchair which he sometimes drove with joyful abandon. During a broadcast the announcer wanted to give Basie's name some style, so he called him "Count". Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. in Kansas City, Missouri. But Moten was an expert piano player himself, and Basie fashioned a job for himself as the bands staff arranger. Provide Feedback Form, Rutgers, The State University of Those four sides were released on Vocalion Records under the band name of Jones-Smith Incorporated; the sides were "Shoe Shine Boy", "Evening", "Boogie Woogie", and "Oh Lady Be Good". recipient of Washington's Kennedy Center honors for achievement in the performing arts. The songs were often designed to 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. As a young boy, Basie hated to see his parents working so hard, and vowed to help them get ahead. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". Basie also toured with Bennett, including a date at Carnegie Hall. "I wanted 13 men to think and play the same way. Then I sat beside him and he taught me.". Mr. Basie was born in Red Bank, N.J., on Aug. 21, 1904, an only child who was christened William. Some time around 1964, Basie adopted his trademark yachting cap.[71]. He was a big force in music. [5] Greer and Basie played together in venues until Greer set out on his professional career. He and his band recorded with Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. The They had one daughter, Diane, in 1944. 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. Eventually, Moten generously let Basie sit in on piano. silent movie theater, he joined Walter Page's Blue Devils in 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. He was one of the greatest bandleaders of all-time, epitomizing the jazz of south-western America. The band survived Basie's death, Kliment, Bud. 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. Famed record producer and journalist, John Hammond, heard the bands broadcast and began writing about the Orchestra to gain their attention. Good Morning Blues: The Autobiography of Count Basie. Credit: GettyImages/Global Images of Ukraine. Another boost was provided in the late 1950s by the recording of 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. [26] A year later, Basie joined Bennie Moten's band, and played with them until Moten died in 1935 from a failed tonsillectomy. 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. When did Count Basie start playing the piano? [74], Count Basie died of pancreatic cancer in Hollywood, Florida, on April 26, 1984, at the age of 79.[1]. 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. 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. Fletcher Henderson's band was playing at the Grand Terrace just before the Basie band arrived there. They had one daughter, Diane, in 1944. 1928. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". 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. His wife, Catherine, had died in 1983; they had one daughter. Basie was often recognized for his understated yet captivating style of piano playing and his precise, impeccable musical leadership. One of Basie's biggest regrets was never recording with Louis Armstrong, though they shared the same bill several times. [48] When Eddie Durham left for Glenn Miller's orchestra, he was replaced by Dicky Wells. Another Basie innovation was the use of two tenor saxophone players; at the time, most bands had just one. Who taught Count Basie how do you play the piano? He soon started booking the band and shopping them to agents and record companies forging their big break. (Basie later played organ at the Eblon Theater in Kansas City). The family had a piano, and Basies mother paid 25 a lesson for his piano lessons at an early age. She even toured with the Basie Orchestra in the mid-1970s, and Fitzgerald and Basie also met on the 1979 albums A Classy Pair, Digital III at Montreux, and A Perfect Match, the last two also recorded live at Montreux. Gonsalves and Clark Terry. The agent, Willard Alexander, said Mrs. rehearsal and then written down later. [20] Where the Blue Devils were "snappier" and more "bluesy", the Moten band was more refined and respected, playing in the "Kansas City stomp" style. count basie daughter died. many other famous artists, including Duke Ellington (18991974), They had one daughter. After automobiles replaced horses, his father became a groundskeeper and handyman for several families in the area. He played along with The Flairs, Christine Kittrell, Lamp Lighters, Louis Jordan and His Tympany Five, Ruth Brown, and Perez Prado and his Orchestra.[59]. 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. Rutgers is an equal access/equal opportunity institution. She was 67 years old. We've received your submission. Soon after, Benny Goodman recorded their signature "One O'Clock Jump" with his band. William James " Count " Basie ( / besi /; August 21, 1904 - April 26, 1984) [1] was an American jazz pianist, organist, bandleader, and composer. The Basie band played at President John F. Kennedy's inaugural ball, and in 1965 toured with Frank Sinatra. I wanted those three trumpets and two trombones 'No,' I said, 'but I'd A year later, Basie joinedBennie_Motens band, and played with them until Motens death in 1935. Birthday: August 21, 1904. One day he asked me whether I played the organ. Splank-Splank-Splank-Boom. Jones also arranged and conducted 1966's live Sinatra at the Sands which featured Sinatra with Count Basie and his orchestra at the Sands Hotel in Las Vegas. See the Count Basie Orchestra Discography. Then when he develops his big band, he reunites with Eddie Durham. at Doctors' Hospital in Hollywood, Fla. Is that all right with you?' 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. He also recorded with Sammy Davis Jr., Bing Crosby, and Sarah Vaughan. Ellington's (18991974), the most famous African American [34], By then, Basie's sound was characterized by a "jumping" beat and the contrapuntal accents of his own piano. epitome of swing, of jazz that moved with a built-in flowing intensity.