Accessibility links
Count Basie Count Basie artist page: interviews, features and/or performances archived at NPR Music

Count Basie

Wednesday

Wednesday

Evolution Of A Song: 'I Got Rhythm'

Judy Garland (right) sang "I Got Rhythm" in the 1943 movie version of the 1930s musical Girl Crazy. Courtesy of MGM hide caption

toggle caption
Courtesy of MGM

A Blog Supreme

Evolution Of A Song: 'I Got Rhythm'

WBGO

When George Gershwin wrote "I Got Rhythm" for the 1930s musical Girl Crazy, he created one of the most catchy melodies in American history. But little did he know that his lovable song — apart from becoming a hugely popular jazz standard — would evolve into something far greater.

Tuesday

Wednesday

Monday

Wednesday

Thursday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Count Basie: The Man and His Music, Pt. 3

With the help of great arrangers such as Neal Hefti, Ernie Wilkins, Benny Carter, and Quincy Jones, bandleader Count Basie relaunched his career after the big-band era had already passed. Central Press/Getty Images hide caption

toggle caption
Central Press/Getty Images

NPR's 'Jazz Profiles'

Count Basie: The Man and His Music, Pt. 3

In the 1940s, the bandleader found himself staring at the impending decline of the Swing Era. But the sophisticated groups he put together in the years to come started a musical renaissance which helped confirm his place in jazz history.

Count Basie: The Man and His Music, Pt. 3

  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/91000443/91076344" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

Wednesday

Count Basie: The Man and His Music, Pt. 2

Though Count Basie's band received lukewarm reviews on their first stint in New York, the public warmed up to it quickly. Reg Burkett/Getty Images hide caption

toggle caption
Reg Burkett/Getty Images

NPR's 'Jazz Profiles'

Count Basie: The Man and His Music, Pt. 2

Its conception unique, its talent unmatched, no group ever swung harder than the Basie big band of the 1930s and early '40s. It transformed its leader from Bill Basie, journeyman pianist, into Count Basie, American folk hero.

Count Basie: The Man and His Music, Pt. 2

  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/90866824/90866380" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

Wednesday

Count Basie: The Man and His Music, Pt. 1

Though he came of age in New Jersey and New York City, Count Basie developed his band's trademark sound largely in Kansas City. Express Newspapers/Getty Images hide caption

toggle caption
Express Newspapers/Getty Images

NPR's 'Jazz Profiles'

Count Basie: The Man and His Music, Pt. 1

From humble beginnings at the turn of the century, the pianist and bandleader rose to become an American success story. By 1935, Count Basie had passed through Harlem and arrived in Kansas City, primed to take his place among jazz royalty.

Count Basie: The Man and His Music, Pt. 1

  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/90652205/90639362" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

Monday

Wednesday

Saturday

Music Interviews

A Birthday Tribute to Count Basie

Aug. 21 would have been the 100th birthday of the influential bandleader Count Basie. He's credited with taking the Kansas City style of jazz to a national and international audience. He helped launch the careers of Lester Young, Buck Clayton, Harry Edison, Helen Humes, and Jimmy Rushing, among others. Tom Vitale reports.

A Birthday Tribute to Count Basie

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/3863502/3863503" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

Tuesday