What is Count Basie's full name?
William James Basie
Count Basie nickname(s):
The Count, The Kid from Red Bank, William Allen Basie
Count Basie date of birth:
August 21, 1904
How old was Count Basie when died?
79
Where was Count Basie born?
Red Bank, New Jersey, USA
When did Count Basie die?
April 26, 1984
Where did Count Basie die?
Hollywood, Florida, USA
Why did Count Basie die?
Pancreatic cancer
Count Basie body shape:
Average
What color are Count Basie's eyes?
Brown - Dark
What color is Count Basie's hair?
Black
Is Count Basie gay or straight?
DISPUTED
What is Count Basie's ethnicity?
Black
What is Count Basie nationality?
American
What is Count Basie's occupation?
Musician, bandleader, composer
Count Basie claim to fame:
American jazz pianist, organist, bandleader, and composer
What genre is Count Basie's work?
Jazz, Swing, big band, piano blues, swing
What instruments does Count Basie play?
Piano, organ
Short Biography
William James "Count" Basie (August 21, 1904 – April 26, 1984) was an American jazz pianist, organist, bandleader, and composer. His mother taught him to play the piano and he started performing in his teens. Dropping out of school, he learned to operate lights for vaudeville and to improvise accompaniment for silent films at a local movie theater in his home town of Red Bank, New Jersey. By 16 he increasingly played jazz piano at parties, resorts and other venues. In 1924 he went to Harlem, where his performing career expanded; he toured with groups to the major jazz cities of Chicago, St. Louis and Kansas City. In 1929 he joined Bennie Moten's band in Kansas City, and played with them until Moten's death in 1935.