Count BASIE

of its true name William Basie
(August 21, 1904 - April 26, 1984).

Pianist, organist, and above all conductor, he was the living image of South-west Jazz: absolute relaxation and swing. Born in New Jersey in 1904, he grew up in Kansas City and knew the fame when assuming the reins of the orchestra of Benny Moten in 1935. He becomes Count, the count and thus enters the aristocracy of the jazz which already counts : King Oliver, the King, Duke Ellington, the Duke.

With Count Basie, music seems to run from itself, much of blues and simple topics containing riffs, carried by a superb rhythm section and developed by soloists of exception. With the piano, the saving in notes is the mark of the laconic style of Basie, with the intense rhythmic capacity.

In the Sixties, SINATRA and BASIE work together with QUINCY JONES for arrangements and the direction of the band. It is the association of pleasure and talent, a magic formula !

The magic is such that they will organize a tour and will also give a series of mythical concerts.