Biography
William James "Count" Basie was an American jazz pianist, organist, bandleader, and composer.
Known For
Complete Filmography
Louis Armstrong's Black & Blues
2022
as Self (voice) (archive sound)
An intimate and revealing look at the world-changing musician, presented through a lens of archival footage and never-before-heard home recordings and...
Rat Pack
2022
as Self (archive footage)
In the 1950s, a small group of artists monopolized the attention of the cameras and the public. Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr., Joey Bish...
Charlie Parker: Bird Songs
2022
as Self (archive footage)
In 1955, on his report, a medical examiner wrote in the box: age, “about 53 years”. Charlie Parker nicknamed Bird just died, at 34. His death will be ...
Billie
2020
as self
‘Lady Day’ was one of the greatest jazz vocalists the world ever heard. In 1971, journalist Linda Lipnack Kuehl set out to write the definitive biogra...
Count Basie: Through His Own Eyes
2020
Told in Count Basie's own words, this biography sheds light on both the professional and the private life of the world-famous bandleader and pianist w...
Sid & Judy
2019
as Self (archive footage)
Explore the dramatic career and personal struggles of the talented and tragically short-lived entertainer Judy Garland through rare concert footage, n...
Jazz Legends in Their Own Words
2014
as Self
A journey into the BBC archives unearthing glorious performances and candid interviews from the golden age of jazz. Featuring some of the greatest nam...
All-Star Jazz Show: Live From The Ed Sullivan Theater
2011
as Self
Originally broadcast on CBS April 11, 1976, under the title THE ORIGINAL ROMPIN' STOMPIN' HOT AND HEAVY, COOL AND GROOVE ALL-STAR JAZZ SHOW, this conc...
Music Inn
2007
as Himself (archive footage)
During a decade rife with paranoia, in the middle of the McCarthy era, Music Inn was a bold experiment. Halfway between the Second World War and The C...
Jazz Icons: Count Basie Live in '62
2006
as Himself
The concert captured on William "Count" Basie's entry in the "must-own" audio/video Jazz Icons series comes from the vaults of Swedish Television. Mod...
Sentimental Journey
2006
In Memory Of
Dennis Awe Performs 38 of his all time favourite songs.
Judy Garland Duets
2005
as Self (archive footage)
Judy performs beloved musical numbers with Barbra Streisand, Liza Minnelli, and more in this series of classic duets from The Judy Garland Show.
The Harlem Renaissance
2004
as Self (archive footage)
Chronicling the Harlem Renaissance era, this retrospective documentary tracks the origins of the soulful music of the period, along with the challenge...
Improvisation
2004
as Self
Improvisational jazz performance filmed in 1950 by Gjon Mili plus Duke Ellington Trio filmed in July 1966, Count Basie at the Montreux Jazz Festival 1...
Piano Blues
2003
as Self (archive footage)
Director — and piano player — Clint Eastwood explores his life-long passion for piano blues, using a treasure trove of rare historical footage in addi...
New York in the Fifties
2001
as Self
New York in the Fifties is the story of a unique time and place, when New York was the hotbed of new artistic expressions, free love, drinking, hot ja...
Bluesland: A Portrait in American Music
1993
as Self (archive footage)
Blues as a genre shaped the sound of jazz in the early 20th century and directly led to the creation of rock 'n' roll in the '50s. The scales, chords,...
Frank Sinatra: The Man and His Music
1981
as Self
Though it was taped 16 years after the first A Man And His Music special, this final installment continues to uphold the high standards of the series,...
Count Basie At Carnegie Hall
1981
as Self
Jazz legend Count Basie and His Orchestra performs a concert at New York's Carnegie Hall, with guests Sarah Vaughn, Tony Bennett and George Benson.
The Last Of The Blue Devils - The Kansas City Jazz Story
1979
as Self
Documentary film detailing the history of Kansas City jazz.
Norman Granz’ Jazz in Montreaux presents Ella and Basie '79—"The Perfect Match"
1979
as Sself (Piano, Conductor)
The two musical masters swing out.
Blazing Saddles
1974
as Self
A town—where everyone seems to be named Johnson—stands in the way of the railroad. In order to grab their land, robber baron Hedley Lamarr sends his h...
Frank Sinatra Spectacular
1965
as Self
The Rat Pack -- Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis, Jr., and Dean Martin -- in their only joint television performance. This special was televised via closed-...
Cinderfella
1960
as Count Basie
When his father dies, poor Fella is left at the mercy of his snobbish stepmother and her two no-good sons Maximilian and Rupert. As he slaves away for...
Rhythm and Blues Revue
1955
as Self
Rhythm and Blues Revue is a plotless variety show, one of several compiled for theatrical exhibition from the made-for-television short films produced...
'Sugar Chile' Robinson, Billie Holiday, Count Basie and His Sextet
1951
Short film featuring performances by Frank "Sugar Chile" Robinson, Billie Holiday and Count Basie and his sextet. From the Cinema Apart Collection.
Basie Boogie
1950
Count Basie and His Orchestra playing us a boogie.
Killer Diller
1948
Original Music Composer
An all-Black comedy and dance revue with stars of stage and screen.
Crazy House
1943
as Count Basie
Ole Olsen and Chic Johnson are Broadway stars who return to Universal Studios to make another movie. The mere mention of Olsen and Johnson's names eva...
Top Man
1943
as Orchestra Leader
In this WW II musical, a young man suddenly finds himself in charge of his family when his father is called to war. To help the flagging spirits of lo...
Stage Door Canteen
1943
as Count Basie
A young soldier on a pass in New York City visits the famed Stage Door Canteen, where famous stars of the theater and films appear and host a recreati...
Air Mail Special
1941
as Self
Count Basie does a little rhyming rapping before going into this Benny Goodman instrumental composition. While he's playing, plenty of couples are jit...
Take Me Back, Baby
1941
Count Basie Orchestra's "Take Me Back, Baby".
Policy Man
1938
as Count Basie
Crime comedy.
Ebony Parade
N/A
as (archive footage)
Mantan Moreland hosts a series of filmed song, dance and band numbers by various artists, mostly released previously as individual "soundies".