- Born Name: William James Basie
- Birthday: 1904-08-21 (Year-Month-Day)
- Website:
- Spouse(s):
- Children:
- Medium:
|
|
William Count Basie (August 21, 1904 – April 26, 1984) was an American jazz pianist, organist, bandleader, and composer. Basie led his jazz orchestra almost continuously for nearly 50 years. Many notable musicians came to prominence under his direction, including tenor saxophonists Lester Young and Herschel Evans, trumpeters Buck Clayton and Harry Sweets Edison and singers Jimmy Rushing and Joe Williams. Basies theme songs were One OClock Jump and April In Paris.