“I, of course, wanted to play real jazz. When we played pop tunes, and naturally we had to, I wanted to play them in a jazzy way. I didn't want to play them straight.”

About Count Basie

Musician • American

William 'Count' Basie was an iconic American jazz pianist, organist, bandleader, and composer. He led the Count Basie Orchestra for almost 50 years, creating innovations like the use of two 'split' tenor saxophones. His...