Count Basie

Count Basie

William James "Count" Basie (; 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, 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, Thelma Carpenter, and Joe Williams.

Birth and Death Data: Born August 21, 1904 (Red Bank), Died April 26, 1984 (Hollywood)

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1929 - 1968

Roles Represented in DAHR: piano, leader, composer, songwriter, arranger, organ, vocalist

Notes: Also known as William Basie.

= Recordings are available for online listening.
= Recordings were issued from this master. No recordings issued from other masters.

Recordings (Results 151-175 of 180 records)

Company	Matrix No.	Size	First Recording Date	Title	Primary Performer	Role
Decca	64985	10-in.	2/4/1939	Oh, Lady be good-1	Count Basie Orchestra	instrumentalist, piano
Decca	89017		August 1955	Down south camp meetin'-2	Benny Goodman and his Orchestra	arranger
Decca	89018		August 1955	King Porter stomp-2	Benny Goodman and his Orchestra	arranger
Decca	89027		August 1955	One o'clock jump-2	Benny Goodman and his Orchestra	arranger
Decca	89035		August 1955	Sometimes I'm happy-2	Benny Goodman and his Orchestra	arranger
Decca	119508		8/16/1967	Green onions	Count Basie Orchestra	instrumentalist, piano
Decca	L 14618		8/16/1967	Goin' out of my head	Count Basie Orchestra	instrumentalist, piano
Decca	L 14619		8/16/1967	Hang on sloopy	Count Basie Orchestra	instrumentalist, piano
Decca	L 14620		8/16/1967	Green onions	Count Basie Orchestra	instrumentalist, piano, organ
Decca	L 14621		8/16/1967	Knock on wood	Count Basie Orchestra	instrumentalist, piano
Decca	L 14622		8/15/1967	Bright lights, big city	Count Basie Orchestra	instrumentalist, piano
Decca	L 14623		8/15/1967	Mercy, mercy, mercy	Count Basie Orchestra	instrumentalist, piano
Decca	L 14624		8/15/1967	Don't let the sun catch you crying-1	Count Basie Orchestra	instrumentalist, piano, organ
Decca	L 14625		8/15/1967	Ain't too proud to beg	Count Basie Orchestra	instrumentalist, piano
Decca	L 14626		8/17/1967	Let the good times roll	Count Basie Orchestra	instrumentalist, piano
Decca	L 14627		8/17/1967	Reach out, I'll be there	Count Basie Orchestra	instrumentalist, piano
Decca	L 14628		8/17/1967	In the heat of the night	Count Basie Orchestra	instrumentalist, piano
Decca	L 14629		8/17/1967	Memphis, Tennessee	Count Basie Orchestra	instrumentalist, piano
Decca	L 14785		1/4/1968	I was made to love her (the way I love you)	Count Basie	instrumentalist, piano
Decca	L 14786		1/3/1968	Respect	Count Basie	instrumentalist, piano
Decca	L 14787		1/4/1968	I never loved a woman (The way I love you)	Count Basie	instrumentalist, piano
Decca	L 14788		1/3/1968	Chain gang	Count Basie	instrumentalist, piano
Decca	L 14789		1/3/1968	Uptight (Everything's alright)	Count Basie	instrumentalist, piano
Decca	L 14790		1/3/1968	Ode to Billy Joe	Count Basie	instrumentalist, piano
Decca	L 14791		1/3/1968	My girl	Count Basie	instrumentalist, piano

(Results 151-175 of 180 records)

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Basie, Count," accessed November 22, 2024, https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/103042.

Basie, Count. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved November 22, 2024, from https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/103042.

"Basie, Count." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 22 November 2024.