Count Basie

August 21st - Count Basie’s birthday.  In 2012 there is 98 years since he was born.


Count Basie was a wonderful bandleader, well known composer, organist.
He was an influential jazz, swing and blues musician, truly inspiring pianist.
Basie was an innovative and versatile individual - goal oriented, ambitious.
Early in life he realized what he aspired to pursue fulfilling his own mission.

Succeeding to implement ideas and synthesize rhythm, sound and pacing,
Count put a creative experiment with music and band musicians to testing.
Basie was a leader as well as a catalyst between his music and the audience.
He was sincere, trustworthy, patient, considerate, respectful and courteous.

Basie had integrated jazz, swing and blues with emphasis on improvisation.
The melodies his band had played were simple like intuitive interpretation.
When one musician started the tune, another added to enrich it, to evolve.
With courage, talent and creativity they experimented and musically dove.

He possessed multiple talents including talent of wise, mindful bandleader.
Having created and maintained his band, in this capacity Count superseded.
He had negotiated band musicians’ creative differences to achieve success.
Basie established his jazz style, foundation, was loved by audience and press.

Count Basie’s birthday is on August 21st, we think of him in heart, soul, spirit.
In jazz community and global music scheme he made a transformation, pivot.
His contribution to the world recorded, our memory of him is warm and fond.
Basie in his capacity, his own right had done all he could do and far beyond.


Copyright©2012 Mila Alper


* Photo is from the Internet