[47], A few months later, Holiday left for Artie Shaw's band. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". He occasionally played four-hand piano and dual pianos with Moten, who also conducted. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". The loss of key personnel (some to military service), the wartime ban on In 1935, he formed the Count Basie Orchestra, and in 1936 took them to Chicago for a long engagement and their first recording. Even more important was the fact that the Famous Door had national and local radio wires. time!". [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. Despite being born with cerebral palsy, Diane surpassed expectations due to the excellent love and support she received from her parents, family, friends, and caretakers and her indomitable spirit. Provide Feedback Form, Rutgers, The State University of Basie was married in two occasions, first to Vivian Lee Winn from 1930 to 1935, and later to Catherine Morgan, from 1940 until her death in 1983. He played piano with them, with one interruption, for the 1928. During this period he also recorded with music greats, Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr., Jackie Wilson, Dizzy Gillespie and Oscar Peterson. Basie favored blues, and he would showcase some of the most notable blues singers of the era after he went to New York: Billie Holiday, Jimmy Rushing, Big Joe Turner, Helen Humes, and Joe Williams. Released: 1967 . What is the formula for calculating solute potential? with disabilities are encouraged to direct suggestions, comments, or complaints concerning any Basie's band was sharing Birdland with such bebop musicians as Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, and Miles Davis. She was born with cerebral palsy and the doctors claimed she would never walk. (Lockjaw) Davis, Frank Wess, Jimmy Forrest and the blues singer Joe Williams. Basie decided to form a medium-sized In 2012, Manhattan Surrogates Court Justice Kristin Booth Glen removed Woodward from his position as Diane guardian after he failed to explain the missing money from Dianes account. They had direct lines to presidents, occasionally exchanging personal telegrams giving well wishes. Both of Basies parents were hard workers. His wife, Catherine, had died in 1983. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Thanks for contacting us. He was 79 years old and lived in Freeport, the Bahamas. The band survived Basie's death, Basie. The pianist in the combo gave up his seat to Mr. Basie who sat down, tinkled a few But in 2012, Manhattan Surrogates Court Justice Kristin Booth Glen removed Woodward from his guardian role after he failed to account for money that belonged to Diane. [76] In 1968, Basie and his Band recorded an album with Jackie Wilson titled Manufacturers of Soul. Press ESC to cancel. Most swing musicians know what the Count Basie ending is: three rhythmically-spaced chords followed by a low, emphatic exclamation point. The word Splank for Basie was coined by Sinatra a good onomatopoeic description of the lick. The award was received by Aaron Woodward. 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 at Doctors Hospital in Hollywood, Fla. It was here that he was introduced to the big-band sound when he joined Walter Pages Blue Devils in 1928. At a White House reception, President Reagan said that Mr. Basie was "among the handful of musicians that helped change the path of American music in the 30's and the 40's" and that he had "revolutionized jazz.". Count Basie was born on August 21, 1904 and died on April 26, 1984. His wife, Catherine, had died in 1983; they had one daughter. Your email address will not be published. She paid 25 cents a lesson for Count Basie's piano instruction. He was already playing jazz piano at parties, clubs and other venues. He got used to seeing me, as though I were part of the show. expensive blunder in Basie's history," said Mr. Hammond) that included hit after hit--"Swingin' the Blues," "Jumpin' at the Woodside," "One O'Clock Basie reorganized the Orchestra in 1952 and this new band was in high demand and toured extensively around the world. saxophonist Lester Young. In 1976 Basie suffered a heart attack, but he returned to the bandstand Then he said, 'Bill, I think I'll call you Count Basie from now on. 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. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. The Count Basie Orchestra had a slew of hits that helped to define the big-band sound of the 1930s and 40s. He started out to be a drummer. Advertisement Further Reading on Count Basie next five years. [61] Basie also added flute to some numbers, a novelty at the time that became widely copied. His wife, Catherine, had died in From then on, it was Count Basie.". By then a series of records by the Basie band had begun appearing (under a contract with Decca Records by which Mr. Basie was paid a total of $750 for 24 sides with no royalties--"probably the most Basie heard Bennie Motens band, and longed to play with them. Jazz at Santa . superior arrangements (reflecting Basie's good taste) and the 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). The band will continue under the guidance of Aaron Woodward, an adopted son of Mr. Basie who has worked closely with the orchestra leader during the last year. The Gonzel White show was stranded in Kansas City, Mo., a fateful location for Mr. Basie. so rode out on stage in a motorized wheelchair. He and his band recorded with who was Duke Ellington's drummer from 1919 to 1951, discouraged young Basie and he switched to piano. band a permanent place in jazz history. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. "Lester Leaps In," were created as features for He quickly learned to improvise music appropriate to the acts and the silent movies. Good Morning Blues: The Autobiography of Count Basie. He became an accompanist to the blues singers Clara Smith and Maggie Jones and he worked His Family After a decade long courtship, Basie married dancer Catherine Morgan, his second wife, on his birthday in 1942. [72] The Basies bought a home in the new whites-only neighborhood of Addisleigh Park in 1946 on Adelaide Road and 175th Street, St. Albans, Queens. [60] The jukebox era had begun, and Basie shared the exposure along with early rock'n'roll and rhythm and blues artists. band in America. encouraged to direct suggestions, comments, or complaints concerning any accessibility issues 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. Count Basie made most of his albums with his big band. He called Basie "Holy Man", "Holy Main", and just plain "Holy".[36]. Two years later, they were the most famous African American band in the country. Copyright 2023, Rutgers, The State University of structure. 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. See the Count Basie Orchestra Discography. A few months later, Basie quit MCA and signed with the William Morris Agency, who got them better fees.[51]. Billie Holiday (born Eleanora Fagan; April 7, 1915 - July 17, 1959) was an American jazz and swing music singer. In the early 1970s, the Basies moved to the warmer climate of Freeport, Bahamas. The Basie band played at President John F. Kennedy's inaugural ball, and in 1965 toured with Frank Sinatra. [22] They had one daughter, Diane, in 1944. 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. count basie daughter died. It was on one of these broadcasts that Bill Basie became Count Basie. The family had a piano, and Basies mother paid 25 a lesson for his piano lessons at an early age. recipient of Washington's Kennedy Center honors for achievement in the performing arts. "and those tiny tinkling things. years ago when a number of musicians, including Mr. Basie, were scheduled to perform in a variety of combinations. Basie's band regularly worked some of the better Who taught Count Basie how do you play the piano? Count Basie and his Orchestra played at the tenth Cavalcade of Jazz concert also at Wrigley Field on June 20, 1954. . In 1976, Mr. Basie suffered a heart attack. 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". 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. [28], At the end of 1936, Basie and his band, now billed as Count Basie and His Barons of Rhythm, moved from Kansas City to Chicago, where they honed their repertoire at a long engagement at the Grand Terrace Ballroom. fast-paced tunes designed to excite the audience. 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. Sinatra later said of this concert "I have a funny feeling that those two nights could have been my finest hour, really. 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). Then he joined a touring show headed by one Gonzel White, playing piano in a four-piece band. [38] Compared to the reigning band of Fletcher Henderson, Basie's band lacked polish and presentation. When the band voted Moten out, Basie took over for several months, calling the group Count Basie and his Cherry Blossoms. During a broadcast the announcer wanted to give Basie's name some style, so he called him "Count". He soon started booking the band and shopping them to agents and record companies forging their big break. What pianist lead the most successful band in Kansas City? After automobiles replaced horses, his father became a groundskeeper and handyman for several families in the area. [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. 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. As one critic put it, they "put wheels on all four bars of the beat," creating a smooth rhythmic flow over which Mr. Basie's other instrumentalists rode as though they were on a streamlined Count Basie (1904-1984) The title of one of his bands most famous tunes The Kid from Red Bank is an obvious tip-off, but many jazz historians assume that William J. He finished junior high school[7] but spent much of his time at the Palace Theater in Red Bank, where doing occasional chores gained him free admission to performances. "He certainly made a notch in musical history," said Benny Goodman, 75 years old, the jazz clarinetist and bandleader. It was a loose and swinging band, built around distinctively individualistic solos by Lester Mr. Basie's band, more than any other, was the "He was a wonderful man. 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. [39], The producer John Hammond continued to advise and encourage the band, and they soon came up with some adjustments, including softer playing, more solos, and more standards. Count Basie | The Concert Database There was a memorable concert at Town Hall several He quickly learned to improvise music appropriate to the acts and the silent movies. [8], Though a natural at the piano, Basie preferred drums. Everything We Know about the Music Legends Love Life, Rich Man Leaves Older Son $2.8 Million, Younger Son Gets Only $1 Story of the Day, Hank Williams Jr Lost 'Drop-Dead Gorgeous' Wife of 31 Years in March Inside Their Marriage, Loretta Lynn Fought for Her Beloved Husband Though He Called Other Women into Their Bed. to bite with real guts. His mother paid 25 cents per piano lesson for him . 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. "flagwavers," 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. [30], In that city in October 1936, the band had a recording session which the producer John Hammond later described as "the only perfect, completely perfect recording session I've ever had anything to do with". A stocky, handsome man with heavy-lidded eyes and a sly smile, Basie was for the next quarter of a century. [35] Lester Young, known as "Prez" by the band, came up with nicknames for all the other band members. He reformed his group as a 16-piece orchestra in 1952. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. They also toured with the "Birdland Stars of 1955", whose lineup included Sarah Vaughan, Erroll Garner, Lester Young, George Shearing, and Stan Getz.[66]. Date of Death: April 26, 1984. For the next two years he led small bands between six and nine pieces. In 1981, Mr. Basie was honored along with Cary Grant, Helen Hayes and other stars as a William James " Count " Basie ( / besi /; August 21, 1904 - April 26, 1984) [1] was an American jazz pianist, organist, bandleader, and composer. [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. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. One day he asked me whether I played the organ. Darlin'"), Ernie Wilkins and Frank Foster ("Shiny Stockings") were among the most notable orchestrators. [50] In 1939, Basie and his band made a major cross-country tour, including their first West Coast dates. The big band era appeared to have ended after the war, and Basie disbanded the group. "When they let you in the door," Ralph Gleason, the jazz critic, reported, "it was like jumping into the center of a whirlwind. His name was Louis Armstrong. [68] He was a guest on ABC's The Pat Boone Chevy Showroom, a venue also opened to several other black entertainers. Jimmy Rushing sang with Basie in the late 1930s. He married Catherine Morgan on July 13, 1940, in the King County courthouse in Seattle, Washington. Provide Feedback Form. Count Basie Biography - parents, death, history, wife, school, mother [12][13] His touring took him to Kansas City, St. Louis, New Orleans, and Chicago. [45] In early 1938, the Savoy was the meeting ground for a "battle of the bands" with Chick Webb's group. The the personnel, and formed the first Count Basie Orchestra. 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 The couple had an only daughter, Diane Basie, whos now a 74-year-old disabled woman. . They had one daughter. In 1950, he headlined the Universal-International short film "Sugar Chile" Robinson, Billie Holiday, Count Basie and His Sextet. the Basie band. experienced so many changes in musical fashion, especially after the The funeral service will be at noon on Monday at the Abyssinian Baptist Church, 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. 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. With Billy Eckstine on the album Basie/Eckstine Incorporated, in 1959. Mechanic Street, where he grew up with his family, has the honorary title of Count Basie Way. When the band left for Chicago it had only 12 written arrangements in its book. 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. ABC World News Tonight feature on death of Count Basie on - YouTube When You Breathe In Your Diaphragm Does What. 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. The couple had an only daughter, Diane Basie, who's now a 74-year-old disabled woman. He was a big force in music. Their "Moten Swing", which Basie claimed credit for,[23] was an invaluable contribution to the development of swing music, and at one performance at the Pearl Theatre in Philadelphia in December 1932, the theatre opened its door to allow anybody in who wanted to hear the band perform. He was one of the greatest bandleaders of all-time, epitomizing the jazz of south-western America. After a decade-long courtship, Basie married dancer Catherine Morgan, his second wife, on his birthday in 1942. 132 West 138th Street. Within a year Among his band's best-known numbers were "One O'Clock Jump," "Jumpin' at the Woodside," "Li'l Darlin'" and "April in Paris.". Count Basie | Official Site for one of the greatest bandleaders of all ", Basie at the piano, 1955, in a photographic portrait by, Los Angeles and the Cavalcade of Jazz concerts. [14] Before he was 20 years old, he toured extensively on the Keith and TOBA vaudeville circuits as a solo pianist, accompanist, and music director for blues singers, dancers, and comedians. band's theme song, "One O'Clock Jump," Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. They have one child. Individuals How do I choose between my boyfriend and my best friend? The couple had an only daughter, Diane Basie, whos now a 74-year-old disabled woman. Through steady changes in personnel, Basie led the band into the 1980s. They were referred to as [31] Hammond first heard Basie's band on the radio and went to Kansas City to check them out. What Happened To Count Basie's Daughter? - FAQS Clear We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Their fame took a huge leap. The agent, Willard Alexander, said Mrs. Splank-Splank-Splank-Boom. We believe that every person's story is important as it provides our community with an opportunity to feel a sense of belonging, share their hopes and dreams. count basie daughter died - muchu.tokyo Here is all you want to know, and more! The couple kept her and cared deeply for her, and especially through her mother's tutelage, Diane learned not only to walk but to swim. (Basie later played organ at the Eblon Theater in Kansas City). 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. New York: Chelsea House, 1992. 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. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. Another Basie innovation was the use of two tenor saxophone players; at the time, most bands had just one. During his last years, he had difficulty walking and rode out on the stage Friend 'stole' $70K from jazz legend's disabled daughter [32] He invited them to record, in performances which were Lester Young's earliest recordings. 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. 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. Rutgers is an equal access/equal opportunity institution. 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. on a motorized wheelchair which he sometimes drove with joyful abandon. Home | About | Contact | Copyright | Privacy | Cookie Policy | Terms & Conditions | Sitemap. New Jersey. at Doctors' Hospital in Hollywood, Fla. recordings, the 1943 musicians' strike, the strain of Basie was a member of Omega Psi Phi fraternity. Basie gave up her career to care for their daughter, who was mentally retarded, and their two adopted sons. Basie had Holiday, and Webb countered with the singer Ella Fitzgerald. She took in laundry and baked cakes for sale for a living. Jazz icon, Count Basie, was born William James Basie August 21, 1904 in Red Bank, New Jersey. A group that included some Basie sidemen was on stage, playing in a ragged, desultory fashion, when Mr. Basie arrived. "One night the announcer called me to the microphone for those usual few words of introduction," Mr. Basie once recalled. However, the man ended up betraying Basies trust, and he stole from Diane. 'One More Once' A Centennial Celebration of the Life and Music of Count 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. Rhythm," "Dinah," or "Lady, Be Good." 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. E-Commerce Site for Mobius GPO Members count basie daughter died. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Soon after, Benny Goodman recorded their signature "One O'Clock Jump" with his band. A year later, Basie joinedBennie_Motens band, and played with them until Motens death in 1935. They were divorced sometime before 1935. The broadcast was picked up one night by John Hammond, the jazz enthusiast who had discovered Billie Holiday and helped Benny Goodman start his band. Young, Hershel Evans, Buddy Tate, Buck Clayton, Harry Edison, Dickie Wells, Vic Dickenson and, primarily, Mr. Basie himself. [85], By 2011, four recordings of Count Basie had been inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame, a special Grammy award established in 1973 to honor recordings that are at least 25 years old, and that have "qualitative or historical significance.". Diane died peacefully on October 15 after suffering a heart attack a few days before. The Barons of Rhythm were regulars at the Reno Club and often performed for a live radio broadcast. the band developed its own variation of the Kansas City swing 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. 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. 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. In May 1970, Sinatra performed in London's Royal Festival Hall with the Basie orchestra, in a charity benefit for the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children. Basie is remembered by many who worked for him as being considerate of musicians and their opinions, modest, relaxed, fun-loving, dryly witty, and always enthusiastic about his music.
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