Jazz is music that created in New Orleans around 1900 and developed through many complex styles: swing, Be-bop, Latin, Funk, Progressive, and Mode. Glen miler, Duke Ellington, and Benny Goodman are famous as swing big band leaders. Count Basie is my favorite big band leader that I would like talk about.

William Basie was born in Red Bank, New Jersey in 1904. He was not only a great big band leader but also an incredible pianist. Many pianists tried to play as many tones as they could. Unlike them, Basie tried to create blanks between tones and audience felt them thrilling. It seemed to be easy but it wasn't. He knew all musical principles and he dared to do that. People called him "Count " Basie like Duke Ellington. He didn't get a big commercial success like Duke, but Basie was a respectable and innovative player as a bandleader and a pianist.

While Basie was learning music under Fats Waller, he played in New York and Kansas City through 1920's to the early 1930's. In 1935, he first had his own big band, "Count Basie Orchestra. His musical concept was a fusion of blues and swing. Until he was forced to shrink his band to a group with 6 to 9 players due to financial problem in 50's, Basie big band was one of the most popular big band in the world. We called it " Old Basie" during that period.

After Basie got over difficult time, he organized a new Basie big band. His musical concept had changed. It was basically a combination of blues and swing. Moreover, Basie brought up Funk and Pops tastes in his music. In my opinion, his music inclined toward getting swing pops. This period was called "New Basie". In 1984, he died of cancer. His masterpieces are "One O'clock Jump", "Jumpin' at the Woodside", and many players who played with Basie. After his death, his players continue a band under the name "Count Basie Orchestra".

In spite of his death, many musicians and people like me are impressed by his cheerful music. We can see his enthusiasm for Jazz and creativity in his recordings. The more I listen to his music, the sadder I feel because I will never be able to see a live performance.