After supper count basie 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 age 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.

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 and singers Jimmy Rushing, Helen Humes, Thelma Carpenter, and Joe Williams.

Biography

Early life and education

William Basie was born to Harvey Lee and Lillian Basie in Red Bank, New Jersey. His father worked as a coachman and caretaker for a wealthy judge. After automobiles replaced horses, his father became a groundskeeper and handyman for several wealthy families in the area. Both of his parents had some type of musical background. His father played the mellophone, and his mother played the piano; in fact, she gave Basie his first piano lessons. She took in laundry and baked cakes for sale for a living. She paid 25 cents a lesson for piano instruction for him

In a career full of highlights, legendary jazz pianist and bandleader Count Basie had, arguably, his biggest hit with the 1958 release The Atomic Mr Basie.

In this article, British jazz journalist Nick Lea dives into the story of an album which spawned some of the best-loved Count Basie songs of all time.

As is often the case, the makings of a great jazz album starts well before the recording session.

In fact, to fully understand how they arrived at that place back in late 1957 when the album was recorded, it helps to know a bit more about the artist first…

Forever known as The Kid From Red Bank, William “Count” Basie was born in the suburb of Red Bank, New Jersey on 21st August 1904.

Both parents were musical, but it was his mother who was a keen pianist that gave Basie his first piano lessons.

Whilst he took naturally to the piano, the young Basie also liked to play drums, but in his early teams deferred to the superior playing of Sonny Greer, who also lived in Red Bank and would go on to become Duke Ellington’s drummer.

Now having decided to focus all his energies on the piano, Basie looked to spread his wings spending most of the 1920’s in Harlem.

Early career of Count Basie

He worked at various clubs in the area and also learned to play the organ, taking lessons with none other than Fats Waller, and soon found himself working in the theatres providing accompaniment to the acts and improvising soundtracks to silent movies. 

Towards the end of the decade, he found himself playing with Walter Page’s Blue Devils and in 1929 with Bennie Moten’s Band based in Kansas City.

The band would attract some star players including Ben Webster on tenor saxophone. Discontent within the Moten band saw the leader voted out and Basie took the helm for a short time, and the band became known as Count Basie and his Cherry Blossoms.  

When the band folded he joined Bennie Moten’s new band staying with the

The Atomic Mr. Basie
by Count Basie
Label: Roulette
Recorded: 21–22 October 1957
Released: January 1958
★★★★★

The Atomic Mr. Basie is an explosive masterpiece, revitalizing Count Basie’s career in the late 1950s. Neal Hefti’s dynamic arrangements, coupled with Basie’s tight-knit ensemble, deliver some of the most iconic big band sounds ever recorded. The album kicks off with “The Kid from Red Bank,” immediately setting an electrifying tone.

Basie’s signature minimalist piano style, paired with Freddie Green’s steady rhythm guitar, anchors the band’s punchy brass and swinging rhythms. Standout tracks like “Whirly-Bird” and “Splanky” showcase tight riffs and brilliant solos, particularly from tenor saxophonists Frank Foster and Eddie “Lockjaw” Davis.

A timeless classic, The Atomic Mr. Basie blends sophistication with powerful swing, confirming Basie’s enduring influence on Jazz.

Personnel
Wendell Culley• trumpet
Snooky Young• trumpet
Thad Jones• trumpet
Joe Newman• trumpet
Henry Coker• trombone
Al Grey• trombone
Benny Powell• trombone
Marshal Royal• reeds
Frank Wess• reeds
Eddie “Lockjaw” Davis• reeds
Frank Foster• reeds
Charles Fowlkes• reeds
Count Basie• piano
Eddie Jones• bass
Freddie Green• guitar
Sonny Payne• drums
Joe Williams• vocals
Neal Hefti• arrangements
Jimmy Mundy• arrangements