William "Count" Basie (August 21, 1904– April 26, 1984) was a jazz pianist,… Read Full Bio ↴William "Count" Basie (August 21, 1904– April 26, 1984) was a jazz pianist, organist, composer, and bandleader.
As a pianist, he had a distinctive and influential style (the song title "Splanky" is an onomatopoetic reference to the sound of his playing), equally at home in the barrelhouse and the concert hall. Willie "The Lion" Smith, James P. Johnson, and Fats Waller were among his influences.
As a bandleader, he created an organization (built upon the remains of Bennie Moten's Kansas City Orchestra) that was a favorite both of dancers and of vocalists such as Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, and, of course, Billie Holiday. Equally important, it kept many musicians employed through lean years. Many jazz musicians of note built their chops and earned their bread and butter in Basie's organization.
In addition to Basie, the swinging "All American Rhythm Section" of his orchestra included greats such as Walter Page (bass), Jo Jones (drums), and Freddie Green (guitar). It was the greatest, most swinging rhythm sections in the history of jazz. Chief among its vocalists were, first, Jimmy Rushing and, later, Joe Williams. Over the years it boasted sidemen and soloists like Herschel Evans (tenor sax), Lester Young (tenor sax), Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis (tenor sax), Buddy Tate (tenor sax), Illinois Jacquet (tenor sax), Earle Warren (alto sax), Jack Washington (alto & baritone sax), Harry "Sweets" Edison (trumpet), Buck Clayton (trumpet), Thad Jones (trumpet), Snooky Young (trumpet), Benny Morton (trombone), Benny Powell (trombone), and Dicky Wells (trombone).
Basie also collaborated with artists such as Zoot Sims and Oscar Peterson, and recorded with ensembles large and small, including the Count Basie Trio, the Count Basie Sextet, and the Kansas City Seven. Notable arrangers included Eddie Durham (who helped shape the Basie Orchestra's sound) and Neal Hefti.
As a pianist, he had a distinctive and influential style (the song title "Splanky" is an onomatopoetic reference to the sound of his playing), equally at home in the barrelhouse and the concert hall. Willie "The Lion" Smith, James P. Johnson, and Fats Waller were among his influences.
As a bandleader, he created an organization (built upon the remains of Bennie Moten's Kansas City Orchestra) that was a favorite both of dancers and of vocalists such as Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, and, of course, Billie Holiday. Equally important, it kept many musicians employed through lean years. Many jazz musicians of note built their chops and earned their bread and butter in Basie's organization.
In addition to Basie, the swinging "All American Rhythm Section" of his orchestra included greats such as Walter Page (bass), Jo Jones (drums), and Freddie Green (guitar). It was the greatest, most swinging rhythm sections in the history of jazz. Chief among its vocalists were, first, Jimmy Rushing and, later, Joe Williams. Over the years it boasted sidemen and soloists like Herschel Evans (tenor sax), Lester Young (tenor sax), Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis (tenor sax), Buddy Tate (tenor sax), Illinois Jacquet (tenor sax), Earle Warren (alto sax), Jack Washington (alto & baritone sax), Harry "Sweets" Edison (trumpet), Buck Clayton (trumpet), Thad Jones (trumpet), Snooky Young (trumpet), Benny Morton (trombone), Benny Powell (trombone), and Dicky Wells (trombone).
Basie also collaborated with artists such as Zoot Sims and Oscar Peterson, and recorded with ensembles large and small, including the Count Basie Trio, the Count Basie Sextet, and the Kansas City Seven. Notable arrangers included Eddie Durham (who helped shape the Basie Orchestra's sound) and Neal Hefti.
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The Complete Decca Recordings
Count Basie & His Orchestra Lyrics
Blues In The Dark Romance in the dark with you All at once I knew Darlin'…
Evil Blues I'm an evil gal; don't you bother with me Yes, I'm…
Exactly Like You I used to have a perfect sweetheart Not a real one,…
Good Morning Blues Goin' to Chicago, sorry but I can't take you, Goin' to…
Honeysuckle Rose Every honey bee fills with jealousy When they see you out…
How Long Blues Baby, how long Baby how long Have that ev'nin train been gon…
John's Idea [Instrumental]…
Let Me Dream Let me dream, while my heart is large As the moon,…
Mama Don't Want No Peas 'N' Rice 'N' Coconut Oil Mama don't want no peas an' rice an' coconut oil, Mama…
My Heart Belongs To Daddy While tearing off a game of golf I may make a…
One O'Clock Jump Amapola My pretty little poppy You're like that lovely flo…
Pennies From Heaven Every time it rains, it rains Pennies from heaven Don't you …
Sent For You Yesterday It′s going down baby You know what it is Full bass! Romanian…
The Fives Five foot two, eyes of blue But oh, what those five…
The Glory Of Love You've got to give a little, Take a little, Let your poor…
When the Sun Goes Down I want you, be around When that evening sun goes down I…
You Can Depend On Me Though you say we're through, I'll always love you And you…
We also have lyrics for these tracks by Count Basie:
Blame It On My Last Affair When I walk an' I'm called And I don't turn like…
Blues in the Dark Romance in the dark with you All at once I knew Darlin'…
Don't You Miss Your Baby? Don't you miss your baby from rollin' in your arms? Don't…
Evil Blues I'm an evil gal; don't you bother with me Yes, I'm…
Exactly Like You I used to have a perfect sweetheart Not a real one,…
Good Morning Blues Goin' to Chicago, sorry but I can't take you, Goin' to…
Honeysuckle Rose Every honey bee fills with jealousy When they see you out…
How Long Blues Baby, how long Baby how long Have that ev'nin train been gon…
Let Me Dream Let me dream, while my heart is large As the moon,…
Mama Don't Want No Peas 'n' Rice 'n' Coconut Oil Mama don't want no peas an' rice an' coconut oil, Mama…
One O'Clock Jump Amapola My pretty little poppy You're like that lovely flowe…
Pennies From Heaven Every time it rains It rains pennies from heaven Don't you k…
Sent For You Yesterday Don't the moon look lonesome Shining through the tree? Don…
Sing for Your Supper Ше ти еба и номерата ейй, много знаеш леко брат само…
The Fives L is for the way you look at me. O is…
When The Sun Goes Down I want you, be around When that evening sun goes down I…
You Can Depend On Me Though you say we're through, I'll always love you And yo…