Splanky count basie biography
Home / Celebrity Biographies / Splanky count basie biography
He was a jazz pianist and organist. It was the greatest, most swinging rhythm sections in the history of jazz. James P. Johnson and Fats Waller were some of his influences. It was one of the most dynamic and swinging rhythm sections ever created in jazz history. It was also important because it kept musicians employed even in difficult years. It boasted many sidemen and soloists over the years, including Jimmy Rushing (tenor Sax), Lester Young(tenor Sax), Eddie Lockjaw (tenor Sax), Buddy Tate (“tenor Sax”), Buddy Tate (“tenor Sax”), Illinois Jacquet (“tenor Sax”) Earl Warren (alto), Jack Washington (alto)
.
Basie was not the only great jazz musician to be included in his “All American Rhythm Section”, which featured legendary musicians like Walter Page (bass), Jo Jones on drums, and Freddie Green on guitar.Equally important, it kept many musicians employed through lean years. He was also a bandleader and created an organization, which was built upon the remains from Bennie Moten’s Kansas City Orchestra.
They helped them build their skills and made their living.
William "Count" Basie (August 21, 1904– April 26, 1984) was a jazz pianist, organist, composer, and bandleader.
As a pianist, he had a distinctive and influential style (the song title "Splanky" is an onomatopoetic reference to the sound of his playing), equally at home in the barrelhouse and the concert hall.
Willie "The Lion" Smith, James P. Johnson, and Fats Waller were among his influences.
As a bandleader, he created an organization (built upon the remains of Bennie Moten's Kansas City Orchestra) that was a favorite both of dancers and of vocalists such as Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, and, of course, Billie Holiday.
Chief among its vocalists were, first, Jimmy Rushing and, later, Joe Williams. Basie’s organisation was home to many jazz musicians of distinction. Many jazz musicians of note built their chops and earned their bread and butter in Basie's organization.
In addition to Basie, the swinging "All American Rhythm Section" of his orchestra included greats such as Walter Page (bass), Jo Jones (drums), and Freddie Green (guitar).
It was loved by both dancers as well as vocalists like Sarah Vaughan and Frank Sinatra. He was a distinguished and influential pianist (the song “Splanky”, which is an onomatopoetic reference the sound of his playing), and he was equally at home in both the concert hall and the barrelhouse. Over the years it boasted sidemen and soloists like Herschel Evans (tenor sax), Lester Young (tenor sax), Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis (tenor sax), Buddy Tate (tenor sax), Illinois Jacquet (tenor sax), Earle Warren (alto sax), Jack Washington (alto & baritone sax), Harry "Sweets" Edison (trumpet), Buck Clayton (trumpet), Thad Jones (trumpet), Snooky Young (trumpet), Benny Morton (trombone), Benny Powell (trombone), and Dicky Wells (trombone).
Basie also collaborated with artists such as Zoot Sims and Oscar Peterson, and recorded with ensembles large and small, including the Count Basie Trio, the Count Basie Sextet, and the Kansas City Seven.
Notable arrangers included Eddie Durham (who helped shape the Basie Orchestra's sound) and Neal Hefti.
William “Count” Basie, born August 21, 1904, died April 26, 1984.
Jimmy Rushing, Joe Williams, and later Joe Williams were the vocalists.