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Count Basie (1904–1984)

Music Department | Soundtrack | Actor

The famed composer ("One O'Clock Jump", "Two O'Clock Jump", "Jumpin' at the Woodside"), pianist, songwriter and bandleader began as an accompanist to vaudeville acts. He joined the Bennie Moten orchestra in Kansas City, later organizing his own orchestra and performing on radio. In 1936 he came to New York... See full bio »

Born:

William Allen Basie
in Red Bank, New Jersey, USA

Died:

(age 79) in Hollywood, Florida, USA
Frank Sinatra and Count Basie at a recording session, 1963. Color, printed later, 15x12.5, flushmounted, estate stamped. $1100 © 1978 Ted Allan MPTV Frank Sinatra and Count Basie at the Sands Hotel in Las Vagas, NV, 1966. (album cover) Frank Sinatra and Count Basie at the piano, 1965. Modern silver gelatin, 14x11, estate stamped. $600 © 1978 Ted Allan MPTV
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Known For


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Filmography

Hide HideMusic Department (1 title)
1958-1960 M Squad (TV series) (composer: theme music - 79 episodes)
– The Bad Apple (1960) (composer: theme music)
– The Tiger's Cage (1960) (composer: theme music)
– Fire in the Sky (1960) (composer: theme music)
– Closed Season (1960) (composer: theme music)
– Badge for a Coward (1960) (composer: theme music)
See all 79 episodes »
 
Show ShowSoundtrack (66 titles)
2013 42 (performer: "Did You See Jackie Robinson Hit That Ball?")
 
2011 The Music Never Stopped (performer: "Kansas City")
 
2009 Hugh Hefner: Playboy, Activist and Rebel (documentary) (music: "Blee Blop Blues" / as William Count Basie)
 
2009 An Education (writer: "One O'clock Jump")
 
2008 Nights in Rodanthe (writer: "Jive At Five" / performer: "Moten Swing")
 
2008 Grand Theft Auto IV (Video Game) ("April in Paris")
 
2007 The War (TV mini-series documentary)
– The Ghost Front: December 1944 - March 1945 (2007) (writer: "Taxi War Dance")
 
2007 Amazing Journey: The Story of The Who (documentary) (performer: "Oh Lonesome Me")
 
2007 State of Mind (TV series)
– Helpy Helperpants (2007) (performer: "Boogie Woogie I May Be Wrong")
 
2006 Click (performer: "With Plenty of Money and You" 1936)
 
2005 Rush: R30 (video documentary) (writer: "One O'Clock Jump")
 
2004 The Whole Ten Yards (performer: "Are You Having Any Fun")
 
2002 Confessions of a Dangerous Mind (writer: "Jumpin' at the Woodside")
 
2002 Frida (writer: "Jumping at the Woodside" / as William Count Basie)
 
2002 The Salton Sea (writer: "Brand New Wagon" / performer: "Brand New Wagon")
 
2001 Pearl Harbor (writer: "Jumpin' at the Woodside" / performer: "Jumpin' at the Woodside")
 
2001 61* (TV movie) (performer: "The Kid From Red Bank")
 
2001 Enigma (writer: "One O'Clock Jump" 1933)
 
2000 The Last of the Blonde Bombshells (TV movie) (writer: "One O'Clock Jump")
 
1997 Lolita (performer: "Royal Garden Blues")
 
1997 Out to Sea (writer: "Jumpin' at the Woodside" 1938)
 
1996 The English Patient (music: "One O'Clock Jump" 1933 / as William "Count" Basie)
 
1996 Swingers (performer: "With Plenty of Money and You")
 
1995 Get Shorty (performer: "Are You Havin' Any Fun")
 
1995 The Grass Harp (writer: "ONE O'CLOCK JUMP" / as William Basie)
 
1995 The Tuskegee Airmen (TV movie) (writer: "One O'Clock Jump")
 
1995 Le confessionnal (writer: "Blue and sentimental" / performer: "Dark rapture", "Blue and sentimental")
 
1994 Baseball (TV mini-series documentary)
– A Whole New Ball Game (1994) (performer: "Pound Cake")
 
1993 Swing Kids (writer: "JUMPIN' AT THE WOODSIDE", "SHOUT AND FEEL IT")
 
1992 Malcolm X (writer: "Feedin' The Bean" / performer: "Undecided Blues", "The Jitters", "Feedin' The Bean")
 
1992 Zebrahead (writer: "Jump for Me")
 
1990 Alice (performer: "Flight of the Foo Birds" 1957)
 
1989 Harlem Nights (writer: "One O'clock Jump" / performer: "One O'clock Jump")
 
1986 Jo Jo Dancer, Your Life Is Calling (performer: "Hey Lawdy Mama")
 
1986 Hannah and Her Sisters ("Back to the Apple")
 
1982 I'm Dancing as Fast as I Can ("I GUESS I'LL HAVE TO CHANGE MY PLAN")
 
1980 Inside Moves (writer: "Captain Bligh" / performer: "Captain Bligh")
 
1980 Raging Bull (music: "Two O'Clock Jump" 1939)
 
1980 Stardust Memories (music: "One O'Clock Jump" 1933)
 
1979 Wanda Nevada (writer: "One O'Clock Jump")
 
1978 The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (TV series)
– Episode dated 3 August 1978 (1978) (writer: "Goin' to Chicago Blues")
 
1976 The Gong Show (TV series)
 
1975 Brother Can You Spare a Dime (documentary) (writer: "Shout and Feel It" 1937 / performer: "Shout and Feel It" 1937)
 
1973 Slither ("One O'Clock Jump")
 
1966 Made in Paris (performer: "Skol Sister", "Goof Proof")
 
1966 Emma Zunz (short) ("Blues Inside Out")
 
1961 The Errand Boy (music: "Blues in Hoss' Flat" - uncredited)
 
1960 Startime (TV series)
– The Swingin' Years (1960) (writer: "One O'Clock Jump" - uncredited)
 
1957 Jamboree! (music: "One O'Clock Jump")
 
1957 M Squad (TV series)
 
1956 The Benny Goodman Story (writer: "One O'Clock Jump")
 
1955 Show Time at the Apollo (TV series)
– Downbeat Revue (performer: "I Cried for You")
– Stars Over Harlem (writer: "One O'Clock Jump")
 
1955 Rhythm and Blues Revue (documentary) (writer: "One O'Clock Jump")
 
1949 Mother Is a Freshman (music: "One O'Clock Jump" - uncredited)
 
1948 Killer Diller (music: "Basie Boogie")
 
1945 Rockin' in the Rockies (writer: "One O'Clock Jump")
 
1945 Night Club Girl (music: "One O'Clock Jump" - uncredited)
 
1944 You Can't Ration Love (music: "One O'Clock Jump")
 
1943 Hi'ya, Sailor (writer: "One O'Clock Jump")
 
1943 I Dood It (music: "One O'Clock Jump" 1937)
 
1943 Top Man (music: "Basie Boogie")
 
1943 Best Foot Forward (writer: "Two O'Clock Jump" 1939)
 
1943 Clancy Street Boys (writer: "One O'Clock Jump" 1933)
 
1943 Reveille with Beverly (writer: "One O'Clock Jump")
 
1942 Springtime in the Rockies (writer: "Two O'Clock Jump")
 
1941 Take Me Back, Baby (short) (writer: "Take Me Back, Baby")
 
Show ShowActor (10 titles)
1963 Here's Edie (TV series)
– Episode #2.5 (1963)
 
1955 Show Time at the Apollo (TV series)
Orchestra Leader
– Stars Over Harlem … Orchestra Leader (uncredited)
 
1945 Basie's Boogie (short) (as Count Basie and His Orchestra)
 
1943 Crazy House
Count Basie
 
1943 Hit Parade of 1943
Conductor of the Count Basie Orchestra
 
1943 Reveille with Beverly
Orchestra Leader
 
1943 Band Parade (short) (as Count Basie and His Band)
 
1942 Choo Choo Swing (short)
 
1941 Air Mail Special (short)
 
1938 Policy Man
 
Show ShowComposer (1 title)
1948 Killer Diller
 
Show ShowThanks (1 title)
2010 Every Day (thanks)
 
Show ShowSelf (59 titles)
2004 Improvisation
Himself
 
1985 Copenhagen Jazz Festival (TV documentary)
Himself
 
1984 The 5th Annual Black Achievement Awards (TV special)
Himself
 
1982 Lou Rawls Parade of Stars (TV series)
Himself
– Episode dated 26 December 1982 (1982) … Himself
 
1981 The Kennedy Center Honors: A Celebration of the Performing Arts (TV special documentary)
Himself - Honoree
 
1981 Sinatra: The Man and His Music (TV movie)
Himself
 
1981 The Grammy Hall of Fame (TV movie)
Himself
 
1981 Count Basie at Carnegie Hall (TV movie)
Himself
 
1980 The Big Show (TV series)
Himself
– Episode #1.8 (1980) … Himself
 
1979 The Kennedy Center Honors: A Celebration of the Performing Arts (TV special)
Himself
 
1979 The Last of the Blue Devils (documentary)
Himself
 
1978 The 20th Annual Grammy Awards (TV special)
Himself
 
1963-1977 The Merv Griffin Show (TV series)
Himself
– Episode dated 5 January 1977 (1977) … Himself
– Episode #1.65 (1963) … Himself
– Episode #1.64 (1963) … Himself
– Episode #1.63 (1963) … Himself
 
1976 The CBS Festival of Lively Arts for Young People (TV series)
Himself
– The Original Rompin' Stompin' Hot and Heavy, Cool and Groovy All Star Jazz Show (1976) … Himself
 
1976 John Denver and Friend (TV special)
Himself
 
1976 Piano Party (TV series)
Himself
– Episode #1.5 (1976) … Himself
 
1975 The Royal Variety Performance (TV movie)
Himself
 
1974 Blazing Saddles
Himself
 
1973 Iltatähti (TV series)
Himself - Interviewee
– Episode dated 6 November 1973 (1973) … Himself - Interviewee
 
1973 Duke Ellington... We Love You Madly (TV special)
Himself
 
1972 Timex All Star Swing Festival (TV movie)
Himself
 
1970 ...And Beautiful II (TV movie)
Himself - Pianist
 
1970 The David Frost Show (TV series)
Himself
– Episode #2.221 (1970) … Himself
 
1970 The Mike Douglas Show (TV series)
Himself
– Episode dated 18 March 1970 (1970) … Himself
 
1968-1969 BBC Show of the Week (TV series)
Himself
– Tony Bennett and Count Basie (1969) … Himself
– Together... Count Basie and Georgie Fame (1968) … Himself
 
1967-1969 The Joey Bishop Show (TV series)
Himself
– Episode #3.190 (1969) … Himself
– Episode #1.88 (1967) … Himself
 
1968 Newport Jazz Festival (TV special)
Himself
 
1948-1967 The Ed Sullivan Show (TV series)
Himself - Band Leader / Band Leader / Himself
– Episode #20.32 (1967) … Himself - Band Leader
– Episode #20.15 (1966) … Himself - Band Leader
– Episode #19.30 (1966) … Himself - Band Leader
– Episode #19.29 (1966) … Himself - Band Leader
– Episode #17.14 (1964) … Band Leader
See all 7 episodes »
 
1966 The Jackie Gleason Show (TV series)
Himself
– Episode #1.10 (1966) … Himself
 
1965-1966 The Andy Williams Show (TV series)
Himself
– Episode dated 13 November 1966 (1966) … Himself
– Episode dated 1 March 1965 (1965) … Himself
 
1966 Made in Paris
Himself - Leader of His Orchestra
 
1965 The Hollywood Palace (TV series)
Himself - Pianist
– Episode #3.5 (1965) … Himself - Pianist
 
1965 Jackie Gleason: American Scene Magazine (TV series)
Himself - Guest Jazz Performer
– Episode #3.27 (1965) … Himself - Guest Jazz Performer
 
1964 The Bell Telephone Hour (TV series)
Himself - Leader of His Orchestra
– Episode #6.11 (1964) … Himself - Leader of His Orchestra
 
1963 The Judy Garland Show (TV series)
Himself
– Episode #1.6 (1963) … Himself
 
1963 Sarah Sings & Basie Swings (TV movie)
Himself
 
1963 The Lively Ones (TV series)
Himself - Performer
– Episode #2.6 (1963) … Himself - Performer
– Episode #2.1 (1963) … Himself - Performer
 
1961 The DuPont Show of the Week (TV series)
Himself
– America's Music - Music of the Thirties (1961) … Himself
 
1960 Cinderfella
Himself
 
1960 Astaire Time (TV movie)
Himself
 
1960 The Garry Moore Show (TV series)
Himself
– Episode #2.24 (1960) … Himself
 
1960 Startime (TV series)
Himself
– The Swingin' Years (1960) … Himself
 
1959 Sunday Showcase (TV series)
Himself - Recipient
– The 1st Annual Grammy Awards (1959) … Himself - Recipient
 
1959 The Milton Berle Show (TV series)
Himself - Guest
– Episode dated 18 March 1959 (1959) … Himself - Guest
 
1956-1958 The Steve Allen Plymouth Show (TV series)
Himself - Bandleader / Himself - Conductor / Himself - Pianist
– Episode #4.10 (1958) … Himself - Bandleader
– Episode #3.32 (1958) … Himself - Pianist
– Episode #1.4 (1956) … Himself - Conductor
 
1957 The Big Record (TV series)
Himself
– Episode #1.13 (1957) … Himself
 
1955-1957 The Jackie Gleason Show (TV series)
Himself - Guest Conductor / Himself - Guest Jazz Pianist
– Music U.S.A. (1957) … Himself - Guest Jazz Pianist
– Episode dated 12 March 1955 (1955) … Himself - Guest Conductor
 
1957 The Nat King Cole Show (TV series)
Himself - Pianist
– Episode #1.13 (1957) … Himself - Pianist
 
1957 The Dinah Shore Chevy Show (TV series)
Himself
– Episode #1.5 (1957) … Himself
 
1956 Basin Street Revue
Himself
 
1955 Music 55 (TV series documentary)
Himself
– Episode #1.9 (1955) … Himself
 
1955 Show Time at the Apollo (TV series)
Himself - Orchestra Leader
– Downbeat Revue … Himself - Orchestra Leader
 
1955 Rhythm and Blues Revue (documentary)
Himself
 
1953 Nothing But the Best (TV series)
Himself
– Episode #1.3 (1953) … Himself
 
1951 'Sugar Chile' Robinson, Billie Holiday, Count Basie and His Sextet (short)
Himself
 
1950 Cavalcade of Bands (TV series)
Himself (with the Count Basie Orchestra)
 
1943 Top Man
Himself - Leader of His Orchestra
 
1943 Stage Door Canteen
Himself - as Conductor of the Count Basie Orchestra
 
1941 Take Me Back, Baby (short)
Himself
 
Show ShowArchive Footage (19 titles)
2010 Love Letters in the Sands of Time (TV movie)
Himself
 
2009 Hugh Hefner: Playboy, Activist and Rebel (documentary)
Himself
 
2007 Jazz Giants of the 20th Century (video documentary)
Himself
 
2004 Harlem Renaissance (video documentary)
 
2003 My Kinda People (TV movie)
Himself
 
2003 Strangers in the Night: The Bert Kaempfert Story (TV documentary)
Himself
 
2003 Georgie Fame 60 år (TV movie)
 
2000 Playboy: The Party Continues (TV documentary)
Himself
 
1999 The Rat Pack (TV series documentary)
Himself
 
1998 Great Performances (TV series)
 
1998 Monterey Jazz Festival: 40 Legendary Years (video documentary)
Himself
 
1995 Masters of American Music
Himself
 
1994 A Great Day in Harlem (documentary)
Himself (uncredited)
 
1993 Apollo Theatre Hall of Fame (TV special documentary)
Himself
 
1993 Bluesland: A Portrait in American Music (documentary)
Himself - Performer
 
1989 The Ladies Sing the Blues
Himself
 
1977 All You Need Is Love (TV series documentary)
 
1971 Black Music in America: From Then Till Now (documentary short)
Himself
 
1947 Ebony Parade
Himself
 

Related Videos

Rhythm and Blues Revue -- Rhythm and Blues Revue Rhythm and Blues Revue -- Rhythm and Blues Revue Killer Diller -- Killer Diller
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Personal Details

Other Works:

CD: "Ain't It the Truth" (Columbia) See more »

Publicity Listings:

3 Biographical Movies  | 1 Print Biography  | 3 Articles  | See more »

Alternate Names:

Count Basie and His Band | Count Basie and His Orchestra
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Did You Know?

Trivia:

Inducted into the Big Band and Jazz Hall of Fame in 1981. See more »

Nickname:

The Count See more »

Star Sign:

Leo