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Count Basie Count Basie, born William James Basie on August 21, 1904, in Red Bank, New Jersey, was a pioneering jazz pianist, organist, bandleader, and composer. Basie's career spanned over 50 years, during which he became one of the most influential figures in the history of jazz. Basie's early musical education was informal, and he learned to play piano by ear. He began his professional career as a musician in the 1920s, playing with various bands in the Kansas City area. It was during this time that he honed his unique piano style, characterized by its sparse, rhythmic approach and its emphasis on swing and groove. In 1935, Basie formed his own big band, the Count Basie Orchestra, which quickly became one of the most popular and influential bands of the swing era. Basie's band was known for its tight, rhythmic ensemble playing and its innovative use of soloists. The band's rhythm section, featuring Basie on piano, Freddie Green on guitar, Walter Page on bass, and Jo Jones on drums, set the standard for swing rhythm sections and became known as the "All-American Rhythm Section." Basie's band was also known for its exceptional soloists, including saxophonists Lester Young and Herschel Evans, trumpeter Buck Clayton, and vocalist Jimmy Rushing. Basie's arrangements, often written by himself and longtime collaborator Eddie Durham, were simple yet highly effective, allowing the band's soloists to shine while maintaining a strong sense of swing and groove. Throughout his career, Basie recorded hundreds of albums and toured the world extensively, spreading the gospel of swing to audiences around the globe. He won numerous awards and honors, including multiple Grammy Awards and induction into the DownBeat Jazz Hall of Fame. Count Basie passed away on April 26, 1984, but his music continues to be celebrated and revered by jazz fans and musicians alike. His innovative approach to swing music and his influence on the development of jazz remain enduring legacies that continue to inspire generations of musicians.