Description

William ‘Count’ Basie,(21.08.04 – 26.04.84) American jazz pianist and bandleader, smoking a cigar while rehearsing at the Grosvenor Hotel, London, 10.07.1979 Both of Basie’s parents were hard workers. As a young boy, Basie hated to see his parents working so hard, and vowed to help them get ahead. The family had a piano, and Basie’s mother paid 25¢ a lesson for his piano lessons at an early age. He had an incredible ear, and could repeat any tune he heard. Dropping out of junior high school, Basie learned to operate lights for vaudeville and to improvise piano accompaniment for silent films at the local movie theatre in his hometown that would eventually become the Count Basie Theatre. He quickly made a name for himself playing the piano at local venues and parties around town until he moved to New York City in search of greater opportunities. Mike Hollist EL7357068 Northcliffe Collection/Associated Newspapers/FSF



















