"I was always willing to say, 'Let's see what happens,' when something came up that looked like it might help me get a little closer to where I wanted to be." ~ Count Basie
Jazz pianist and blues man William Basie (1904-1984), nicknamed "Count," was born on this day in Red Bank, New Jersey. With guitarist Freddie Green, bass player Walter Page, and drummer Jo Jones, he created a powerful piano style with the 1930s "swing" era of jazz.
"Of course, there are a lot of ways you can treat the blues, but it will still be the blues," Basie said. His was one of Kansas City's most influential bands for over 45 years.
A genius at music technique, Basie had a gift for setting tempos for both large orchestras and small combos. He used leads and cues to keep the melody moving smoothly, then the music could speed up or downshift as necessary. His lean, spare piano style was clean and inspired.
With such classics as One O'clock Jump (1937), the "Jump King" worked with Billie Holiday, Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Quincy Jones and others-- creating buoyant, joyous swing.
"It's the way you play that makes it," he said. "Play like you play. Play like you think, and then you got it, if you're going to get it. And whatever you get, that's you, so that's your story."
See where the moment takes you.