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William James "Count" Basie (August 21, 1904 – April 26, 1984) was an American jazz pianist, organist, bandleader, and composer. In 1935, Basie formed his own jazz orchestra, 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 innovations like the use of two "split" tenor saxophones, emphasizing the rhythm section, riffing with a big band, using arrangers to broaden their sound, and others. Many musicians came to prominence under his direction, including the tenor saxophonists Lester Young and Herschel Evans, the guitarist Freddie Green, trumpeters Buck Clayton and Harry "Sweets" Edison, plunger trombonist Al Grey, and singers Jimmy Rushing, Helen Humes, Thelma Carpenter, and Joe Williams.

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Born	William James Basie 21 August 1904 Red Bank, New Jersey, USA
Died	26 April 1984 (aged 79) Hollywood, Florida, USA
Zodiac	Leo
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Andy Gibson · Associate · 1913-1961 · American musician edit info

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Ethel Waters 1896-1977 American vocalist and actress info edit view couple »

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Billy Eckstine 1914-1993 American musician info edit view couple »

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Carmen McRae 1922-1994 American jazz singer info edit view couple »

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