History of count basie theater
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Whether hosting a jazz legend, nurturing a young artist, or connecting the community through shared cultural experiences, the Center remains one of the most important arts institutions in the region.
Author: Tourist Landmarks
Date: 2025-10-05
“Count” Basie himself have performed on its historic stage.
In fact, Bennett has called the Basie “my favorite place.” Art Garfunkel once remarked, “This hall is to a singer what Steinway is to a pianist.” And Lyle Lovett, a frequent Basie Center performer, has long praised the historic theater, making a point to tell his audiences “this is one of the nicest sounding rooms in the whole United States of America.”
For 40+ years, Reade’s Carlton hosted everything from vaudeville to films, local theater and touring productions, concerts and more.
Located in the heart of Red Bank, this landmark combines rich history with world-class entertainment, making it both a cultural monument and a vital part of the regional arts ecosystem.
1.
Highlights include:
Count Basie himself, who returned to perform in his hometown theater on multiple occasions, including his final local concert in 1983.
Bruce Springsteen, a frequent surprise guest, who has appeared both for benefit concerts and to support local acts.
Tony Bennett, Ringo Starr, Al Green, Jon Bon Jovi, James Brown, and Diana Krall, among others.
From Broadway tours and comedy acts to jazz ensembles, classical symphonies, and rock concerts, the venue’s programming reflects both diversity and prestige.
On the facility’s east side stands the theater’s new, spacious, glass-lined lobby, housing updated barrier-free amenities and upgrades, the outdoor William J. and Catherine Basie Arts Plaza and the Stillwell Larkin Pavilion entranceway.
At 95+ years old and growing stronger, the Count Basie Center for the Arts aims to be the premier center for the performing and visual arts, inspiring, educating and entertaining through its diverse and engaging offerings and embracingthe diversity of the region.
The acoustics have earned praise from world-class musicians, with Art Garfunkel famously describing the space as "a Steinway for a singer."
Beyond celebrity acts, the center is also a home for local and regional performers, community theater, student showcases, and school orchestras.
4.
The 1,568-seat historic theater is listed on the National Register of Historic Places in America and some of the most notable musical guests from Tony Bennett and Bruce Springsteen to Ringo Starr and William J. “Count” Basie himself have performed on its historic stage.
WHAT TO SEE AND DO
- Attend a live performance, movie, concert, comedy show, or community event
- Learn about William “Count” Basie and his legacy
Journey through Jersey strives to have the most up-to-date information, but always check with the site itself before planning a visit.
The 1,568-seat historic theater is listed on the National Register of Historic Places in America and some of the most notable musical guests from Tony Bennett and Bruce Springsteen to Ringo Starr and William J. “Count” Basie himself have performed on its historic stage.
WHAT TO SEE AND DO
- Attend a live performance, movie, concert, comedy show, or community event
- Learn about William “Count” Basie and his legacy
Journey through Jersey strives to have the most up-to-date information, but always check with the site itself before planning a visit.
Special Event Rental
The night of your lives.
The courtship.
The proposal.
The celebration of it all.
At the newly expanded Count Basie Center for the Arts, your wedding night or special occasion is more than a moment – it’s a cinematic spectacle, draped in the tradition of the Basie Center’s restored historic theater to the glamour of the building’s newest spaces – from its stunning, spacious lobby and adjoining outdoor plaza, to our new, state-of-the-art club venue and modern ballroom.
For more information, contact us at [email protected].
The Historic Theater
Grand Lobby
Diamond Lounge
William & Catherine Basie Arts Plaza
The Vogel
The K Lounge
Rooftop Lounge
The Historic Theater
STAGE + 2 BARS + 4 RESTROOMS
CAPACITY: 1,568 SEATED
Great For: Large Events
Perfect to accommodate weddings and other large events, the Basie’s historic theater – host to some of music’s biggest stars for 97 years and counting – sets the stage for the beginning of something big.
Grand Lobby
2 FLOORS + 2 BARS + 4 RESTROOMS
CAPACITY: 260 SEATED, 943 STANDING • LOCATION: EAST SIDE
Great For: Large Events
The Basie Center’s newest jewel: a towering, two-story lobby marked by a stunning grand staircase, luxuriant lighting, multiple service bars and enough space to create a warm and intimate gathering of friends and family.
Diamond Lounge
PRIVATE ROOM
CAPACITY: 50 SEATED, 63 STANDING • LOCATION: EAST SIDE
Great For: Small Events
A Metropolitan-inspired space, patterned in walnut and overlooking the William J.
Basie Arts Plaza, creating the perfect setting for intimate gatherings or home to your wedding day bridal suite or groomsmen lounge.
William & Catherine Basie Arts Plaza
BAR + PLAZA + BALCONY
CAPACITY: 150 SEATED, 255 STANDING • LOCATION: EAST SIDE
Great For: Large Events
The William J.
Basie Arts Plaza, warmly lit by the grand lobby in the evening and featuring a balcony to take sight of the space as a whole, provides an intimate, outdoor environment, or an area to expand your Member Lounge or Grand Lobby event.
The Vogel
STAGE + 2 FLOORS + 2 BARS + 4 RESTROOMS + LOBBY
CAPACITY: 400 SEATED, 984 STANDING • LOCATION: WEST SIDE
Great For: Large Events
Newest to the Basie is its state-of-the-art, multipurpose venue: a two-level, balconied hall outfitted with a rustic, industrial aesthetic.
This red-carpet event has grown into a major spring tradition for young performers.
The Center also provides scholarships, workshops, summer camps, and outreach initiatives designed to expand access to the arts for underserved populations.
5. Zion Church.Just weeks after the death of his wife Catherine in 1983, Basie made his final appearance at the theater.
Historical Evolution
Originally opened on November 11, 1926, the building was first known as the Carlton Theatre, designed by Philadelphia architect William E. Lehman. Performance Legacy
The Count Basie Center has hosted a long list of renowned performers across all genres.
Basie made several returns in the years to follow: in 1974 for a concert held in honor of his 70th birthday, and for a 1979 performance to benefit Shrewsbury’s A.M.E. The theatre was adorned with neoclassical architectural elements, including plaster reliefs, alabaster chandeliers, intricate moldings, and a grand proscenium arch.
Designed for immersive experiences, complete with backstage areas, a second-floor lounge and technology to create dazzling moods with video and lighting packages.
The K Lounge
PRIVATE ROOM
CAPACITY: 38 SEATED, 38 STANDING • LOCATION: WEST SIDE
Great For: Small Events
A VIP suite located on the second floor of the Basie’s ballroom venue, the K Lounge is destined to be an exclusive gathering space for events, a retreat during performances, or an exclusive-use space during wedding, corporate gathering or other special occasions.
Rooftop Lounge
BAR + PATIO
CAPACITY: 130 SEATED, 150 STANDING • LOCATION: WEST SIDE
Great For: Mid-Sized Events
Offering a sweeping, panoramic view of Red Bank and the nearby Navesink River, our new rooftop lounge is an exclusive, fair-weather spot for your social or corporate gathering or any other social function you can dream of.
Less than a year later, the jazz legend succumbed to cancer.
In November 1984, just six months removed from his death, the Monmouth Arts Center was renamed to honor Basie, then wholly recognized as Red Bank’s most famous son.
In years to come, the Basie would establish itself as a nonprofit organization, with a mission to serve the people of the State of New Jersey by providing a broad spectrum of quality entertainment and education programs that embrace and amplify the diversity of the region.
The Basie Center’s Academy of the Arts has yielded stars in music and Broadway, and its work in area schools to promote the arts in education has been recognized throughout the state of New Jersey.
A monumental interior restoration was completed in 2008, funded in part by a performance by Springsteen and the E-Street Band.
The original theatre became known as the Hackensack Meridian Health Theatre following a corporate sponsorship, while the overall center began encompassing multiple performance and educational spaces.
2. The Center is now also home to theGrunin Arts Education Building, which houses the Turner Academy of the Arts, the organization’s classical music conservatory, and The Vogel, the Basie Center’s second performance space.
This renaming aligned the venue with a local icon who left a global musical legacy, and the theater began attracting higher-profile performances.
The next pivotal moment occurred in 2018, when the organization expanded its mission and physical space, adopting the name Count Basie Center for the Arts.
The Count Basie Center Today
As of today, the Count Basie Center has grown into a multi-building arts campus. As a nonprofit organization, the Basie Center is committed to creating opportunities for participation and understanding the arts by collaborating with creators, organizations, and schools, and as a catalyst to harnessing the economic vitality of the arts and enriching our region’s quality of life.
Count Basie Theatre | Red Bank
The Count Basie Center for the Arts, historically known as the Count Basie Theatre, is one of the most revered performing arts venues in New Jersey.
In 1961, just weeks after performing for President John F. Kennedy’s inauguration, Basie made a homecoming performance at the Carlton, drawing more than 1700 fans in the theater’s seats and glass-lined lobby. In August 1974, just months after then-Rolling Stone journalist Jon Landau proclaimed him the future of rock and roll, local musician Bruce Springsteen and his E Street Band took the historic stage.