Count Basie

Pianist

Birthday August 21, 1904

Birth Sign Leo

Birthplace Red Bank, NJ

DEATH DATE Apr 26, 1984 (79)

#54,051 Most Popular

About

Swing-era bandleader noted for his theme songs One O'Clock Jump from 1937 and April in Paris from 1932.

Before Fame

He originally wanted to be a drummer, but he grew up near Sonny Greer, who would become Duke Ellington's legendary drummer in 1919. He thought he could never outmatch Greer's talent, so he took up piano at 15.

Trivia

His group, Count Basie and his Cherry Blossoms, was an outgrowth of Bennie Moten's band in Kansas City. He eventually relocated the Cherry Blossoms to Chicago, then to New York City.

Family Life

His father was a student of the mellophone, and his mother was a pianist. His mother paid 25 cents per piano lesson for him when he was young. He married Catherine Morgan on August 21, 1942, with whom he had one child.

Associated With

He and Chick Webb engaged in a much-publicized battle of the bands at the Savoy in 1938.

Video

Count Basie Highlights
Count Basie Highlights