Unlike many white musicians, who were placed in band outfits such as the ones led by Glenn Miller and Artie Shaw, Young was assigned to the regular army where he was not allowed to play his saxophone. When we played pop tunesand, naturally, we had toI wanted those pops to kick! Count Basies mothers name is unknown at this time and his fathers name is under review. You need a Find a Grave account to continue. He served one traumatic year in a detention barracks[15] and was dishonorably discharged in late 1945. This effort eventually resulted in the release of 63 albums by Time Life. Weve updated the security on the site. ''He was the only leader in the business who ever went out of his way to help me,'' Mr. Basie said later. William James " Count " Basie ( / besi /; August 21, 1904 - April 26, 1984) [1] was an American jazz pianist, organist, bandleader, and composer. Along with Duke Ellington, Count Basie is regarded as one of the two most important and influential bandleaders in the history of jazz. (Sorry I could . On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. He worked as an orchestrator and arranger for the film The Color Purple. Basie was born William James Basie (with some sources listing his middle name as "Allen") on August 21, 1904, in Red Bank, New Jersey. People of this zodiac sign like to be admired, expensive things, bright colors, and dislike being ignored, facing difficulties, not being treated specially. TimesMachine is an exclusive benefit for home delivery and digital subscribers. Sorry! In addition, he played trombone, in the big bands of Tommy Dorsey, Woody Herman, Gene Krupa, and Charlie Barnet. He married Catherine Morgan on August 21, 1942, with whom he had one child. He also starred in several films, most notably the musical short Jammin' the Blues (1944). Whereas other pianists were noted for technical flash and dazzling dexterity, Basie was known for his use of silence and for reducing his solo passages to the minimum amount of notes required for maximum emotional and rhythmic effect. Paul Quinichette modeled his style so closely on Young's that he was sometimes referred to as the "Vice Prez" (sic). Are you sure that you want to report this flower to administrators as offensive or abusive? Played for Kennedy and Reagan. Instrument (s) Drums. All Rights Reserved. He was sometimes known as Papa Jo Jones to distinguish him from younger drummer Philly Joe Jones. You can always change this later in your Account settings. Family members linked to this person will appear here. [2][3] Nestico joined the Oliver High School beginner orchestra in 1937 as a trombonist. Early "in person" recordings. This browser does not support getting your location. The 1994 documentary about the 1958 Esquire "A Great Day in Harlem" photograph of jazz musicians in New York, contains many remembrances of Young. At a White House reception, President Reagan said that Mr. Basie was ''among the handful of musicians that helped change the path of American music in the 30's and the 40's'' and that he had ''revolutionized jazz.''. It featured such jazzmen as tenor saxophonists Lester Young (regarded by many as the premier tenor player in jazz history) and Herschel Evans, trumpeters Buck Clayton and Harry Sweets Edison, and trombonists Benny Morton and Dicky Wells. A brother, James, died when William was a young boy. The pianist Count Basie died at the age of 79. In 1937 Basie took his group, Count Basie and His Barons of Rhythm, to New York to record their first album with Decca Records under their new name, The Count Basie Orchestra. On a flight to New York City, he suffered from internal bleeding due to the effects of alcoholism and died in the early morning hours of March 15, 1959, only hours after arriving back in New York, at the age of 49.[26]. Death rate by cause. Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. His first marriage was to Beatrice Tolliver, in Albuquerque, on 23 February 1930. His playing showed reliance on a small number of clichd phrases and reduced creativity and originality, despite his claims that he did not want to be a "repeater pencil" (Young coined this phrase to describe the act of repeating one's own past ideas). Jazz Musician. Astrological Sign: Leo. Count Basie was born on the 21st of August, 1904. As one critic put it, they ''put wheels on all four bars of the beat,'' creating a smooth rhythmic flow over which Mr. Basie's other instrumentalists rode as though they were on a streamlined cushion. [5] He grew up in a musical family. All photos appear on this tab and here you can update the sort order of photos on memorials you manage. This generation experienced much of their youth during the Great Depression and rapid technological innovation such as the radio and the telephone. In fact, the only reason I enlarged the brass was to get a richer harmonic structure. [8] The greatest overall compatibility with Leo is Aquarius, Gemini. [12], Nestico married his second wife, Shirley, in 1995, and was married to her until his death. Counts education details are not available at this time. Courtesy of the artist. The Count Basie Orchestra is a 16 to 18 piece big band, one of the most prominent jazz performing groups of the swing era, founded by Count Basie in 1935 and recording regularly from 1936. Young is described as playing the clarinet in a "liquid, nervous style. Lester Willis Young (August 27, 1909 March 15, 1959), nicknamed "Pres" or "Prez", was an American jazz tenor saxophonist and occasional clarinetist. His father was a student of the mellophone, and his mother was a pianist. He left home permanently in 1932 when he became a member of the Blue Devils led by Walter Page. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). The Sun is about vitality and is the core giver of life. JUMP TO: Count Basies biography, facts, family, personal life, zodiac, videos and related celebs. A group that included some Basie sidemen was on stage, playing in a ragged, desultory fashion, when Mr. Basie arrived. ''Can you imagine a man who kind of romps around the piano,'' Mr. Shearing said, ''and those tiny tinkling things. Learn about how to make the most of a memorial. A band leader and pioneer in jazz percussion, Jones anchored the Count Basie Orchestra rhythm section from 1934 to 1948. When the Page band broke up in 1929, Mr. Click to reveal The funeral service will be at noon on Monday at the Abyssinian Baptist Church, 132 West 138th Street. Red Bank, Monmouth County, New Jersey, USA. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate, or jump to a slide with the slide dots. [8], During World War II, Nestico joined the United States Army and served for five years. Death Year: 1984, Death date: April 26, 1984, Death State: Florida, Death City: Hollywood, Death Country: United States, Article Title: Count Basie Biography, Author: Biography.com Editors, Website Name: The Biography.com website, Url: https://www.biography.com/musicians/count-basie, Publisher: A&E; Television Networks, Last Updated: April 14, 2021, Original Published Date: April 2, 2014. [16] Nestico composed commercial jingles for Anheuser-Busch, Zenith, Ford Motor Company, Mattel Toys, Pittsburgh Paint, the National Guard, Dodge, Remington Bank, and Americard. Birth and Death Data: Born August 21st, 1904 (Red Bank . While growing up in the Algiers neighborhood of New Orleans, he worked from the age of five to make money for the family. Biography - A Short Wiki Swing-era bandleader noted for his theme songs One O'Clock Jump from 1937 and April in Paris from 1932. I had never heard the blues played like that. Occasionally the digitization process introduces transcription errors or other problems; we are continuing to work to improve these archived versions. He's not limited to anything. Another cause for the thickening of his tone around this time was a change in saxophone mouthpiece from a metal Otto Link to an ebonite Brilhart. Peter Jennings (who was a jazz an) introduces a short feature on the career of Count Basie who died earlier in the day of pancreatic cancer. Failed to remove flower. Generation also known as The Greatest Generation. Other than in the last two visualizations, this piece uses a measure called the age-adjusted death rate. When we played pop tunes - and, naturally, we had to - I wanted those pops to kick! Drummer of the Count Basie Orchestra Passed Away, Obituary - YouTube 0:00 / 0:36 Butch Miles Cause of Death? Bookmark this page and come back often for updates. One day he asked me whether I played the organ. He recorded less often with his big band during this era (although when he did, the results were outstanding), concentrating instead on small-group and piano-duet recordings. 'No,' I said, 'but I'd give my right arm to learn. After moving to New York, he was further influenced by James P. Johnson and Fats Waller, with Waller teaching Basie organ-playing techniques. From around 1951, Young's level of playing declined more precipitously as his drinking increased. He had three sons with his first wife. The Gonzel White show was stranded in Kansas City, Mo., a fateful location for Mr. Basie. Thanks for your help! Your account has been locked for 30 minutes due to too many failed sign in attempts. But I wanted that bite to be just as tasty and subtle as if it were the three brass I used to use. [19][20][4], Nestico received honorary Doctor of Music degrees from Duquesne University and in 2005 from Shenandoah University. One of Kansas City's own, Ronald McFadden, 66, who together with his brother Lonnie, is well known for entertaining audiences in Kansas City and worldwide, died unexpectedly Monday evening. The story of Count Basie is very much the story of the great jazz band that he led for close to 50 years (1935-1984), an orchestra with a distinctive . The email does not appear to be a valid email address. Close this window, and upload the photo(s) again. . Young also recorded extensively in the late 1940s for Aladdin Records (1945-1947, where he had made the Cole recordings in 1942) and for Savoy (1944, 1949 and 1950), some sessions of which included Basie on piano. Please ensure you have given Find a Grave permission to access your location in your browser settings. It continues . Resend Activation Email, Please check the I'm not a robot checkbox, If you want to be a Photo Volunteer you must enter a ZIP Code or select your location on the map. Failed to report flower. It is also known as being the most generous and noble of signs. Then he joined a touring show headed by one Gonzel White, playing piano in a four-piece band. Pop Tunes With a Kick, ''Of course, I wanted to play real jazz. He earned the nickname, "Count," because of his stylish way of playing the piano. His experience inspired his composition "D.B. [4][12], Nestico published nearly 600 numbers for school groups and many for professional big bands. This relationship is not possible based on lifespan dates. and the bebop revolution of the mid-1940s all played a role in the death of the big-band era. I decided that I would be one of the biggest new names; and I actually had some little fancy business cards printed up to announce it, Count Basie. His alma mater later awarded him with an honorary Doctor of Music degree and the Distinguished Alumni award. Learn more about managing a memorial . [1] Jones, Basie, guitarist Freddie Green and bassist Walter Page were sometimes billed as an "All-American Rhythm section," an ideal team. The Basie band played at President John F. Kennedy's inaugural ball, and in 1965 toured with Frank Sinatra. As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. [21][22] Both hold a PhD in Education, according to drummer Roy Haynes, who was interviewed as part of an attempt to create a film biography of Young. He was also helming one of the biggest, most renowned African American jazz groups of the day. "[25], Young made his final studio recordings and live performances in Paris in March 1959 with drummer Kenny Clarke at the tail end of an abbreviated European tour during which he ate next to nothing and drank heavily. [34], Peter Straub's short story collection Magic Terror (2000) contains a story called "Pork Pie Hat", a fictionalized account of the life of Lester Young. Then I sat beside him and he taught me.'' Young left the Basie band to replace Hawkins in Fletcher Henderson's orchestra. Try again later. The sponsor of a memorial may add an additional. In 1935, he formed the Count Basie Orchestra, and in 1936 took them to Chicago for a long engagement and their first recording. Count Basies birth sign is Leo and he had a ruling planet of Sun. Swing-era bandleader noted for his theme songs One OClock Jump from 1937 and April in Paris from 1932. He rose to fame after taking over Bennie Moten's band in 1935. Discover what happened on this day. He was a fine pianist and leader of one of the greatest jazz bands in history. In 1952 increased demand for personal appearances allowed Basie to form a new orchestra that in many ways was as highly praised as his bands of the 1930s and 40s. Some of their notable songs included "One O'Clock Jump"the orchestra's signature tune which Basie composed himself and "Jumpin' at the Woodside.". Swing-era bandleader noted for his theme songs One OClock Jump from 1937 and April in Paris from 1932. The early Basie band was also noted for its legendary soloists and outstanding rhythm section. Duffy Jackson, with bassist Jim Furgeson, at Rudy's Jazz Room in Nashville. Gradually, member by member, the Count Basie Orchestra was born, and . "[12] As well as the Kansas City Sessions, his clarinet work from 193839 is documented on recordings with Basie, Billie Holiday, Basie small groups, and the organist Glenn Hardman. In contrast to many of his hard-driving peers, Young played with a relaxed, cool tone and used sophisticated harmonies, using what one critic called "a free-floating style, wheeling and diving like a gull, banking with low, funky riffs that pleased dancers and listeners alike". He eventually relocated the Cherry Blossoms to Chicago, then to New York City. While he recuperated his band continued to fulfill engagements, frequently with Nat Pierce taking Mr. Basie's place at the piano and sometimes with guest conductors such as the trumpeter Clark Terry, who was a member of the Basie band in the 1940's. His mother paid 25 cents per piano lesson for him when he was young. He began working as an arranger for Count Basie in 1967, and wrote and arranged all the music for Basie's 1968 LP Basie Straight Ahead. In 1979, Jones was inducted into the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame for his contribution to the Birmingham, Alabama musical heritage. His playing in the Basie band was characterized by a relaxed style which contrasted sharply with the more forceful approach of Coleman Hawkins, the dominant tenor sax player of the day. There was a problem getting your location. [12], In the late 1960s, Sammy worked as an arranger and orchestrator for Capitol Records. Verify and try again. He started out to be a drummer. Found more than one record for entered Email, You need to confirm this account before you can sign in. When William James "Count" Basie died of cancer in 1984, he left his $1.5 million fortune in a trust to provide for his only child. [18] In 1956, he recorded two LPs with his 1930s collaborators Teddy Wilson and Jo Jones. His father was a student of the mellophone, and his mother was a pianist. (William) Count Basie (1904-1984) was an extremely popular figure in the jazz world for half a century. Jones performed regularly in later years at the West End jazz club at 116th and Broadway in New York City. The family always owned a piano, and Lilly Ann paid twenty-five cents per lesson to . [3], For the fictional television character, see, Last edited on 26 February 2023, at 08:43, The Coleman Hawkins, Roy Eldridge, Pete Brown, Jo Jones All Stars at Newport, Mae Barnes, Jo Jones, Buck Clayton, Ray Bryant, The Oscar Peterson Trio with Sonny Stitt, Roy Eldridge and Jo Jones at Newport, Sonny Stitt Plays Arrangements from the Pen of Quincy Jones, Jazz Icons: Coleman Hawkins-Live in 62 & 64, "Book Review: The Life and Opinions of Papa Jo Jones", "Jo Jones, 73, A Jazz Drummer Influential in Swing Era, Dies", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Jo_Jones&oldid=1141690806, This page was last edited on 26 February 2023, at 08:43. Lester Willis Young (August 27, 1909 - March 15, 1959), nicknamed "Pres" or "Prez", was an American jazz tenor saxophonist and occasional clarinetist.. Coming to prominence while a member of Count Basie's orchestra, Young was one of the most influential players on his instrument. During his tenure, a composition by Nestico led President Johnson to remark "You call this music?" Flowers added to the memorial appear on the bottom of the memorial or here on the Flowers tab. Within less than six months, however, Mr. Basie was back at the keyboard. Jones died of pneumonia in New York City at the age of 73. Holiday toured with the Count Basie Orchestra in 1937. The band itself carried on into the next century, with Thad Jones, Frank Foster, and Grover Mitchell each assuming leadership for various intervals. Chinese Zodiac: Count Basie was born in the Year of the Rabbit. Singer Joe Williams, whose authoritative, blues-influenced vocals can be heard on hit recordings such as Every Day I Have the Blues and Alright, Okay, You Win, was also a major component in the bands success. For a year he played piano accompaniment to silent movies and then joined Walter Page's Blue Devils in Tulsa, Okla., a band that included, in addition to Mr. Of course, I wanted to play real jazz. Are you sure that you want to delete this memorial? Learn more about merges. Fresh out of Kansas City, the Basie band took Manhattan by storm in 1937. He was a big force in music.''. As a pianist Basie was equally great and was intensely rhythmic, using as few notes as possible. Despite a brief disbandment at the beginning of the 1950s, the band survived long past the Big Band era itself and the death of Basie in 1984. But the obvious talents of another young Red Bank drummer, Sonny Greer, who was Duke Ellington's drummer from 1919 to 1951, discouraged young Basie and he switched to piano. ''I had dropped into the old Lincoln Theater in Harlem,'' Mr. Basie once recalled, ''and I heard a young fellow beating it out on an organ. Updates? To view a photo in more detail or edit captions for photos you added, click the photo to open the photo viewer. In 1963, he switched to the Marines and became director and arranger of the United States Marine Band, where he served under presidents John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson. 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. I mean, he'll concert you all, and then he'll swing you all, too, you understand, when he's ready to. Young was the subject of an opera, Prez: A Jazz Opera, that was written by Bernard Cash and Alan Plater and broadcast by BBC television in 1985. In January 1956, he recorded two Granz-produced sessions including a reunion with pianist Teddy Wilson, trumpet player Roy Eldridge, trombonist Vic Dickenson, bassist Gene Ramey, and drummer Jo Jones which were issued as The Jazz Giants '56 and Pres and Teddy albums. Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students. [8] He became a member of the Bostonians, led by Art Bronson, and chose tenor saxophone over alto as his primary instrument. Count Basie. He made a habit of leaving, working, then going home. Basie played the vaudevillian circuit for a time until he got stuck in Kansas City, Missouri in the mid-1920s after his performance group disbanded. Live recording of Young and Potts in Washington were issued later. Death rate from Alzheimer's. Death rate from cancer. In 2021, approximately 3,458,697 deaths occurred in the United States. Page, a bassist, Jimmy Rushing, the blues singer, both of whom would be key members of Mr. Basie's band. Oops, something didn't work. Include gps location with grave photos where possible. We have set your language to She gave Lester the nickname "Prez" after President Franklin Roosevelt, the "greatest man around" in Billie's mind. Young left the Basie band in late 1940. Holiday always insisted their relationship was strictly platonic. Year should not be greater than current year. Zodiac Sign: Count Basie was a Leo. Count Basie Birthday and Date of Death Count Basie was born on August 21, 1904 and died on April 26, 1984. cemeteries found within kilometers of your location will be saved to your photo volunteer list. From the Grand Terrace, it moved on to New York and Roseland Ballroom (playing opposite Woody Herman's new, young band) where listeners complained that it was out of tune (not a surprising reaction since many of Mr. Basie's musicians were blowing patched-up horns and saxophones held together by rubber bands). I sat on the floor watching his feet and using my hands to imitate him. This page is updated often with latest details about Count Basie. So he called the pianist "Count," with Basie not realizing just how much the name would catch on as a form of recognition and respect in the music world. Young did not fight the charges and was convicted. [4] to Lizetta Young (ne Johnson), and Willis Handy Young, originally from Louisiana. Not loud and fast, understand, but smoothly and with a definite punch.''. Another milestone came with the 1956 album April in Paris, whose title track contained psyche-you-out endings that became a new band signature. He also received a distinguished alumni award from Duquesne, and in 1994 was inducted into Duquesne's "Century Club". Billie and Lester met at a Harlem jam session in the early 30s and worked together in the Count Basie band and in nightclubs on New York's 52nd St. At one point Lester moved into the apartment Billie shared with her mother, Sadie Fagan. Basie studied music with his mother and was later influenced by the Harlem pianists James P. Johnson and Fats Waller, receiving informal tutelage on the organ from the latter. The causes of death rooted in complex mental health and substance abuse issues, such as drug overdoses and suicide, comprise a relatively small portion of deaths, but are increasing faster than most other causes. Who are the richest people in the world? Small record labels not bound by union contracts continued to record, and Young recorded some sessions for Harry Lim's Keynote label in 1943. Count Basie was an extremely popular figure in the jazz world for half a century. Basie then formed the Barons of Rhythm with some of his bandmates from Moten's group, including saxophonist Lester Young. Wayne Shorter, then of Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers, composed a tribute, called "Lester Left Town". His father, Harvey Lee Basie, was a coachman and caretaker; his mother, Lillian Childs Basie, was a laundress, taking in washing and ironing. Quickly see who the memorial is for and when they lived and died and where they are buried. To use this feature, use a newer browser. [23] On January 31, 2008, Sady Sullivan conducted an oral history interview with Dr. Lester W. Young Jr.[24] At approximately 1:10:00 he speaks about his father, listening to jazz, learning to play, and how having a famous father did not convey any favours.
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