Count Basie
Known for: Acting
William James "Count" Basie (/ˈbeɪsi/; 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, his minimalist piano style, 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, Dennis Rowland, Thelma Carpenter, and Joe Williams. As a composer, Basie is known for writing such jazz standards as "Blue and Sentimental", "Jumpin' at the Woodside" and "One O'Clock Jump". Description above from the Wikipedia article Count Basie, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.
Filmography
Series
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
Self
1962
Series
The Mike Douglas Show
Self
1961
Series
The Merv Griffin Show
Self
1962
Series
The Steve Allen Show
Self - Conductor
1956
Series
The Steve Allen Show
Self - Pianist
1956
Series
The Steve Allen Show
Self - Bandleader
1956
Series
The Ed Sullivan Show
Self
1948
Series
The Dinah Shore Chevy Show
Self
1956
Series
The Kennedy Center Honors
Self
1978
Series
Startime
Self
1959
Film
Blazing Saddles
Self
1974
Series
ABC Stage 67
Self
1966
Series
The Hollywood Palace
Self - Pianist
1964
Series
The Big Show
Self
1980
Series
The Judy Garland Show
Self
1963
Film
Piano Blues
Self (archive footage)
2003
Film
Louis Armstrong's Black & Blues
Self (voice) (archive sound)
2022
Film
Cinderfella
Count Basie
1960
Film
Sid & Judy
Self (archive footage)
2019
Film
Stage Door Canteen
Count Basie
1943
Film
Rat Pack
Self (archive footage)
2022
Film
Improvisation
Self
2004
Film
Jamboree!
Count Basie
1957
Film
Judy Garland Duets
Self (archive footage)
2005
Film
Crazy House
Count Basie
1943
Film
Charlie Parker: Bird Songs
Self (archive footage)
2022
New York in the Fifties
Self
2001
Film
Ebony Parade
(archive footage)
Film
Made in Paris
Count Basie
1966
Cavalcade of Bands
1950
Film
Frank Sinatra Spectacular
Self
1965
Film
Basie Boogie
1950
Film
Count Basie: Through His Own Eyes
2020
Film
Rhythm and Blues Revue
Self
1955
Film
The Last of the Blue Devils
Self
1979
Film
Billie
self
2020
Film
Astaire Time
Self
1960
Film
Air Mail Special
Self
1941
Film
The Harlem Renaissance
Self (archive footage)
2004
Film
Frank Sinatra: The Man and His Music
Self
1981
Film
Bluesland: A Portrait in American Music
Self (archive footage)
1993
Film
Top Man
Orchestra Leader
1943
Film
Count Basie At Carnegie Hall
Self
1981
Film
Norman Granz’ Jazz in Montreaux presents Ella and Basie '79—"The Perfect Match"
Sself (Piano, Conductor)
1979
Film
Music Inn
Himself (archive footage)
2007
Film
Jazz Legends in Their Own Words
Self (archive footage)
2014
Film
Policy Man
Count Basie
1938
All-Star Jazz Show: Live from The Ed Sullivan Theater
Self
2011
Film
Jazz Icons: Count Basie Live in '62
Himself
2006
Film
Take Me Back, Baby
1941
'Sugar Chile' Robinson, Billie Holiday, Count Basie and His Sextet
1951