"I was always willing to say, "Let's see what happens," when something came up that looked like it might help me get a little closer to where I wanted to be . . ."
Count Basie
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Count Basie
William "Count" Basie
August 21, 1904 – April 26, 1984
Red Bank, New Jersey
"All I wanted was to be big, to be in show business and to travel ... and that’s what I’ve been doing all my life."
Count Basie
Basie toured the vaudeville circuit starting in 1924 as a soloist and accompanist to blues singers. His touring took him to Kansas City, Missouri where he met many jazz musicians in the area. In 1928 he joined Walter Page's Blue Devils, and the following year became the pianist with the Bennie Moten band based in Kansas City. After Moten died in 1935, Basie became leader and started referring to himself as "Count Basie". At the end of 1936 he moved his band to New York City where the Count Basie Orchestra remained until 1950. The big band era appeared to be at an end, but Basie reformed his as a 16-piece orchestra in 1952 and led it until his death. Basie remained faithful to the Kansas City jazz style and helped keep jazz alive with his distinctive piano playing. Basie’s music was characterized by his trademark "jumping" beat and the contrapuntal accents of his own piano. Basie also showcased some of the best blues singers of the era: Billie Holliday, Jimmy Rushing, Big Joe Turner, and Joe Williams
"I'm saying: to be continued, until we meet again. Meanwhile, keep on listening and tapping your feet."
Count Basie
"It's the way you play that makes it . . . Play like you play. Play like you think, and then you got it, if you're going to get it. And whatever you get, that's you, so that's your story."
Count Basie
"If you play a tune and a person don't tap their feet, don't play the tune."
Count Basie
"I, of course, wanted to play real jazz. When we played pop tunes, and naturally we had to, I wanted those pops to kick! Not loud and fast, understand, but smoothly and with a definite punch."
Count Basie
"Well, if you find a note tonight that sounds good, play the same damn note every night!"
Count Basie
"Of course, there are a lot of ways you can treat the blues, but it will still be the blues."
Count Basie
"Contrary to several conflicting stories, I got the name "Count" right in Kansas City in 1936 while at the Reno Club. I was known as Bill Basie at that time. One night, while we were broadcasting, the announcer called me to the microphone for those usual few words of introduction. He commented that Bill Basie was a rather ordinary name, and further that there were a couple of well-known bandleaders named Earl Hines and Duke Ellington. Then he said, `Bill, I think I'll call you Count Basie from now on. Is that all right with you?' I thought he was kidding, shrugged my shoulders and replied, `OK.'"
Count Basie
"I decided that I would be one of the biggest new names; and I actually had some little fancy business cards printed up to announce it, "Count Basie. Beware, the Count is Here.""
Count Basie
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Liberace Museum has a mirror-plated Rolls Royce; jewel-encrusted capes, and the largest rhinestone in the world, weighing 59 pounds and almost a foot in diameter.
