Count Basie, American pianist, composer, and bandleader (died 1984)

Count Basie

American jazz musician and composer (1904–1984)

William James "Count" Basie 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…