The Jazz Organ Scene
USA
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Count Basie
The Count (*1904 in Red Bank/NJ) very early learnt to play the piano with his mother.
When he, at the beginning of the 20's, came to New York, he met there James P. Johnson
and Fats Waller. He worked as solo pianist, and music director for blues singers, dancers
and comedians.
While acompanying a touring group, Count stayed in Kansas City (1927). Two years later, he joined Bennie Moten's Kansas City Orchestra. After Bennie's death, in 1935, Basie founded his own group of nine musicians. Very soon, this group became famous under the name Count Basie Orchestra. In the 50's, Count made a lot of tours around the world, especially to Europe (1954) and Japan (1963). He got famous for his cooperation with Frank Sinatra with whom he issued some records. A large numer of albums was recorded under his own name. Since the mid-70's, Basie suffered more and more from a serious illness which forced him to withdraw from performances. In april 1984, he passed away. Count's characteristic instrument has been the piano. But a very important encounter was reported by Count: Fats Waller was the organist in the Lincoln Theatre in Harlem when Count Basie first heard him. Basie spent a lot of time sitting in the front row near Waller's organ bench: "One day he asked me whether I played the organ. 'No,' I said, 'but I'd give my right arm to learn.' The next day he invited me to sit in the pit and start working the pedals. I sat on the floor watching his feet and using my hands to imitate them. Then I sat beside him and he taught me. One afternoon he pretended to have some urgent business downstairs and asked me to wait for him. I started playing while he stood downstairs listening. After that I would come to early shows and he let me play accompaniment to the picture. Later I used to follow him around wherever he played, listening and learning all the time." Count played the organ like he played the piano. There are only a few recordings with Count Basie at the organ. |
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