Count Basie

William James Count Basie ˈbeɪsi August 21 1904 April 26 1984 was an American jazz pianist organist bandleader and composer In 1935 he formed 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 his minimalist piano style 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 Dennis Rowland Thelma Carpenter and Joe Williams As a composer Basie is known for writing such jazz standards as Blue and Sentimental Jumpin at the Woodside and One OClock Jump Description above from the Wikipedia article Count Basie licensed under CCBYSA full list of contributors on Wikipedia