Photo: 不明 / Public domain (source: Wikimedia Commons)
Count Basie was born on August 21, 1904 in Red Bank, New Jersey, United States and was credited as a pianist, bandleader and conductor. Count Basie died on April 26, 1984 at the age of 79. Listed accolades include Presidential Medal of Freedom (1985), Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award (2002), Grammy Trustees Award (1981) and 3 more.
My Take
Count Basie is one of those names that makes my foot tap before I've even heard a note. Leading his own orchestra out of Red Bank, New Jersey, he helped define what swing could be, and the Grammys and Presidential Medal of Freedom only hint at the influence. But what I love isn't the trophy count, it's his philosophy of less. That spare, perfectly placed piano, leaving space so the band could breathe and swing harder, is a masterclass in restraint. Eighty years of getting the whole world to dance. I expect to keep listening for the rest of my life.
1. Profile
- Name (English)
- Count Basie
- Name (Japanese)
- カウント・ベイシー
- Reading
- かうんと・べいしー
- Born
- August 21, 1904 – April 26, 1984
- Zodiac / Chinese zodiac
- Leo / Dragon
- Origin
- Red Bank, New Jersey, United States
- Occupation
- pianist / bandleader / conductor / composer / autobiographer
2. Background
Awards & achievements
- 1985 Presidential Medal of Freedom
- 2002 Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award
- 1981 Grammy Trustees Award
- 1958 Grammy Award for Best Jazz Instrumental Album
- 1958 Grammy Award for Best Performance by an Orchestra – for Dancing
- 1960 Grammy Award for Best Performance by an Orchestra – for Dancing
- 1963 Grammy Award for Best Performance by an Orchestra – for Dancing
- 1976 Grammy Award for Best Jazz Performance
3. Links
4. About this entry
Tags
- Last updated
- 2026-06-18
Facts are limited to publicly available information up to 2024; non-public or unconfirmed items are omitted. English text is machine-assisted (facts translated by Sonnet, "My Take" written by Opus 4.8). The Japanese page is the source of record.
Frequently asked questions
When was Count Basie born?
Born August 21, 1904.
When did Count Basie die?
Died April 26, 1984, aged 79.
Where was Count Basie from?
Count Basie was from Red Bank, New Jersey, United States.
What did Count Basie do?
Count Basie worked as pianist, bandleader, conductor, composer, autobiographer.
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