Dance hall bookings were down sharply as swing began to fade, the effects of the musicians' strikes of 194244 and 1948 began to be felt, and the public's taste grew for singers. Basie was a true innovator leading the band for almost 50 years and recording on over 480 albums. During a broadcast the announcer wanted to give Basie's name some style, so he called him "Count". Press ESC to cancel. The Gonzel White show was stranded in Kansas City, Mo., a fateful location for Mr. Basie. Performers of bebop left the traditional musical melody and played a song freely, with the music and rhythm that was felt at the time. William James "Count" Basie learned how to play the piano at an early age under his mothers instructions. Basie made a few more movie appearances, such as in the Jerry Lewis film Cinderfella (1960) and the Mel Brooks movie Blazing Saddles (1974), playing a revised arrangement of "April in Paris". Count Basie was a pianist, bandleader, and composer considered as one of the most popular figures in the jazz world. [73], On April 11, 1983, Catherine Basie died of heart disease at the couple's home in Freeport, Grand Bahama Island. myers park country club lawsuit; turkey hill frozen yogurt discontinued. He died of cancer in The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". Mr. Basie was born in Red Bank, N.J., on Aug. 21, 1904, an only child who was christened William. [40] His first official recordings for Decca followed, under contract to agent MCA, including "Pennies from Heaven" and "Honeysuckle Rose". The band broadcast from the Reno Club on an experimental radio station. [58] They played to a crowd of 15,000. 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. 1928. [62] Soon, his band was touring and recording again. with disabilities are encouraged to direct suggestions, comments, or complaints concerning any 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. While on one tour he became stranded in Kansas City, Missouri. The agent, Willard Alexander, said Mrs. It went so well; it was so thrilling and exciting". A year later, Basie joinedBennie_Motens band, and played with them until Motens death in 1935. In 1959, Basie's band recorded a "greatest hits" double album The Count Basie Story (Frank Foster, arranger), and Basie/Eckstine Incorporated, an album featuring Billy Eckstine, Quincy Jones (as arranger) and the Count Basie Orchestra. I wanted those three trumpets and two trombones Jazz at Santa . kristie bennett survivor; sporting goods flemington, nj; biscay green color; count basie daughter died. [9] When not playing a gig, he hung out at the local pool hall with other musicians, where he picked up on upcoming play dates and gossip. It positioned him with Earl Hines, as well as Duke Ellington. He rose to fame after taking over Bennie Moten's band in 1935. [11] Soon, Basie met many of the Harlem musicians who were "making the scene," including Willie "the Lion" Smith and James P. Johnson. Basie. With many of the other big bands of the swing Darlin'"), Ernie Wilkins and Frank Foster ("Shiny Stockings") were among the most notable orchestrators. After Motens death in 1935, Basie started his band, the Count Basie Orchestra. During this period he also recorded with music greats, Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr., Jackie Wilson, Dizzy Gillespie and Oscar Peterson. 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 morning Basie, Count. Next, Basie played at the Savoy, which was noted more for lindy-hopping, while the Roseland was a place for fox-trots and congas. Perhaps the most startling of the 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. We've received your submission. It does not store any personal data. African American bandleader and musician. band in America. "He commented that Bill Basie was a rather ordinary name and that In fact, the only reason I enlarged the brass was to get a richer harmonic [74], Count Basie died of pancreatic cancer in Hollywood, Florida, on April 26, 1984, at the age of 79.[1]. 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. In addition to Quincy Jones, Basie was using arrangers such as Benny Carter (Kansas City Suite), Neal Hefti (The Atomic Mr Basie), and Sammy Nestico (Basie-Straight Ahead). Basie's new band was more of an ensemble group, with fewer solo turns, and relying less on "head" and more on written arrangements. By clicking Accept All, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. New York: C. Scribner's Sons, 1980. 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. [53] Other minor movie spots followed, including Choo Choo Swing, Crazy House, Top Man, Stage Door Canteen, and Hit Parade of 1943. We proudly celebrate Red Bank New Jersey's most famous musical son during . Count Basie and his Orchestra played at the tenth Cavalcade of Jazz concert also at Wrigley Field on June 20, 1954. Individuals [76] In 1968, Basie and his Band recorded an album with Jackie Wilson titled Manufacturers of Soul. 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. His father was a student of the mellophone, and his mother was a pianist. They were referred to as Basie was a member of Omega Psi Phi fraternity. Dropping out of junior high school, Basie learned to operate lights for vaudeville and to improvise piano accompaniment for silent films at the local movie theater in his hometown that would eventually become the Count Basie Theatre. He quickly made a name for himself playing the piano at local venues and parties around town until he moved to New York City in search of greater opportunities. Once the musicians found what they liked, they usually were able to repeat it using their "head arrangements" and collective memory.[44]. The agent, Willard Alexander, said Mrs. Basie died while her husband was appearing at the Royal York Hotel in Toronto. It was during this time that he was given the nickname While he recuperated his band continued to fulfill engagements, frequently with Nat Pierce taking Mr. Basie's place at the piano and sometimes with guest conductors such as the trumpeter Clark Terry, who "He was a wonderful man. Page, a bassist--Jimmy Rushing, the blues signer, both of whom would be key members of Mr. Basie's band. His father played the mellophone, and his mother played the piano; in fact, she gave Basie his first piano lessons. Now Joy Rosenthal, a court-appointed lawyer who is Dianes replacement guardian, wants to jail or fine Woodward, 68. count basie daughter died. [75], Basie also recorded with Tony Bennett in the late 1950s. "heads"arrangements worked out without planning in Basie recalled a review, which said something like, "We caught the great Count Basie band which is supposed to be so hot he was going to come in here and set the Roseland on fire. His mother paid 25 cents per piano lesson for him . Count Basie made most of his albums with his big band. Ellington's (18991974), the most famous African American 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.) 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. Basie studied music with his mother and was later influenced by the Harlem pianists James P. Johnson and Fats Waller, receiving informal tutelage on the organ from the latter. His father, Harvey Lee Basie, was a coachman and a groundskeeper, and his mother, Lillian Childs Basie, was a laundress. I said the minute the brass got out of hand and blared and screeched instead of making every note mean something, there'd be some changes made. Who Can Benefit From Diaphragmatic Breathing? 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. Basie added touches of bebop "so long as it made sense", and he required that "it all had to have feeling". The funeral service will be at noon on Monday at the Abyssinian Baptist Church, time!". 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. Best Answer Copy William "Count" Basie and his wife Catherine had a daughter, Diane, who lived in Freeport, Bahamas at the time of Basie's death in 1984. 1981 interview cited in "The Lester Young Story" (Properbox 16), pp. [31] Hammond first heard Basie's band on the radio and went to Kansas City to check them out. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Around 1920, Basie went to Harlem, a hotbed of jazz, where he lived down the block from the Alhambra Theater. band's theme song, "One O'Clock Jump," favorites, "Jumpin' at the Woodside" and Late one night with time to fill, the band started improvising. 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. [38] Compared to the reigning band of Fletcher Henderson, Basie's band lacked polish and presentation. band a permanent place in jazz history. 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. Basie's band regularly worked some of the better The band flopped at a Pittsburgh hotel that had never booked a jazz band before. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. [26] A year later, Basie joined Bennie Moten's band, and played with them until Moten died in 1935 from a failed tonsillectomy. And it was a seven-day week. In May 2019, Basie was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame at a ceremony in Memphis, TN, presented by The Blues Foundation. In 1942, they moved to Queens. E-Commerce Site for Mobius GPO Members count basie daughter died. 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. At thirty-four, he was dead from years of drug and alcohol use. CATHERINE BASIE. At 16. Benjamin Bennie Moten (November 13, 1894 April 2, 1935) was an American jazz pianist and band leader born and raised in Kansas City, Missouri, United States. As Metronome magazine proclaimed, "Basie's Brilliant Band Conquers Chick's"; the article described the evening: Throughout the fight, which never let down in its intensity during the whole fray, Chick took the aggressive, with the Count playing along easily and, on the whole, more musically scientifically. In 1949, the Basie family moved one of the premier neighborhoods open to African American families Addsleigh Park in St. Albans, Queens, New York. He was one of the greatest bandleaders of all-time, epitomizing the jazz of south-western America. [34], By then, Basie's sound was characterized by a "jumping" beat and the contrapuntal accents of his own piano. After Vocalion became a subsidiary of Columbia Records in 1938, "Boogie Woogie" was released in 1941 as part of a four-record compilation album entitled Boogie Woogie (Columbia album C44). These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. onenighters, and the bebop revolution of the mid-1940s all played a role who was Duke Ellington's drummer from 1919 to 1951, discouraged young Basie and he switched to piano. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". [32] He invited them to record, in performances which were Lester Young's earliest recordings. Date of Death: April 26, 1984. Finally, Willard Alexander, a booking agent, in an effort to get the band on 52d Street, then the jazz center of New York, made a deal with the Famous Door, a shoebox of a room, 25 feet wide and about "He was the only leader in the business who ever went out of his way to help me," Mr. Basie said later. Diane died peacefully on October 15 after suffering a heart attack a few days before. In 1935, he formed the Count Basie Orchestra, and in 1936 took them to Chicago for a long engagement and their first recording. With Billy Eckstine on the album Basie/Eckstine Incorporated, in 1959. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. "[64] In 1957, Basie sued the jazz venue Ball and Chain in Miami over outstanding fees, causing the closure of the venue. 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. Begin typing your search term above and press enter to search. 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. From the time Count Basie's "Old Testament Band" surged out of Kansas City in 1936 and brought his irrepressible mixture of blues and riff-based head arrangements to New York until his death in 1984, Basie and the bands he led were a touchstone of jazz history. There will be a viewing at Benta's Funeral Home, 630 St. Nicholas Avenue at 141st Street, on Sunday from 1 to 7 P.M. dealing with the egos of his musicians. Died: April 26, 1984 Hollywood, Florida African American bandleader and musician Count Basie was an extremely popular figure in the jazz world for half a century. Discouraged by the obvious talents of Sonny Greer, who also lived in Red Bank and became Duke Ellington's drummer in 1919, Basie switched to piano exclusively at age 15. half a year later. They have one child. Diane died peacefully on October 15 after suffering a heart attack a few days before. The band survived Basie's death, The Count Basie Orchestra recorded and played live with many iconic artists like Duke Ellington, Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, Tonny Benneth and Sarah Vaughan. They had one daughter. He couldnt write music at the time, but his ear was perfect. "April in Paris" (arrangement by Wild Bill Davis) was a best-selling instrumental and the title song for the hit album. By 1937 Basie's band was, with the possible exception of Duke [2][3] His father worked as a coachman and caretaker for a wealthy judge. After automobiles replaced horses, his father became a groundskeeper and handyman for several wealthy families in the area. Is the Count Basie Orchestra still alive? Count Basie is considered one of the greatest bandleaders of all times. In 1950, when big bands were falling apart, Mr. Basie cut down to an eight-piece group but by 1952 he was leading a big band once again. Rutgers is an equal access/equal opportunity institution. Charlie Parker forever changed the performance and writing of jazz music. As a young boy, Basie hated to see his parents working so hard, and vowed to help them get ahead. When the band voted Moten out, Basie took over for several months, calling the group Count Basie and his Cherry Blossoms. They were divorced sometime before 1935. Basie reorganized the Orchestra in 1952 and this new band was in high demand and toured extensively around the world. His Family After a decade long courtship, Basie married dancer Catherine Morgan, his second wife, on his birthday in 1942. Through steady changes in personnel, Basie led the band into the 1980s. [63] DownBeat magazine reported: "(Basie) has managed to assemble an ensemble that can thrill both the listener who remembers 1938 and the youngster who has never before heard a big band like this. They had one daughter, Diane, in 1944. Today, Charlie Yardbird Parker is considered one of the great musical innovators of the 20th century. He also recorded with Sammy Davis Jr., Bing Crosby, and Sarah Vaughan. Later that year, Basie appeared on a television special with Fred Astaire, featuring a dance solo to "Sweet Georgia Brown", followed in January 1961 by Basie performing at one of the five John F. Kennedy Inaugural Balls. Not loud and fast, understand, but smoothly and with a definite punch.". Joe Williams toured with the band and was featured on the 1957 album One O'Clock Jump, and 1956's Count Basie Swings, Joe Williams Sings, with "Every Day (I Have the Blues)" becoming a huge hit. Age at Death: 79. He was a fine pianist and leader of one of the greatest jazz silent movie theater, he joined Walter Page's Blue Devils in While he was in his late teens, he gravitated to Harlem, where he encountered Fats Waller. 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. [5][6], The best student in school, Basie dreamed of a traveling life, inspired by touring carnivals which came to town.
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