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William "Count" Basie is a US jazz bandleader, composer, and pianist.
1904 - William "Count" Basie was born 21st of August in Red Bank, New Jersey.
1924 - Basie toured the Theater Owners Bookers Association (T.O.B.A.) vaudeville circuit as a soloist and accompanist to blues singers.
1928 - He joined Walter Page's Blue Devils.
1929 - Became the pianist with the Bennie Moten band based in Kansas City.
1934 - He started his own band.
1942 - Basie moved to Queens New York with Catherine Morgan.
1950 - Basie Band had become one of the preeminent backing big bands for the finest jazz vocalists.
1984 - Count Basie died of pancreatic cancer in Hollywood, California on 26th of April.
- His trademark "jumping" beat and the contrapuntal accents of his own piano characterized Basie's music.
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