Count Basie Orchestra

Those in the know as far as jazz is concerned need no introduction to the music of Count Basie. Starting in the mid-1930s, the now deceased bandleader became one of the most popular jazz personalities of all-time. Respectfully referred to simply as "The Count," Basie's big band music would help usher in the swing music era of the 1940s. Leading between 16-18 musicians, his music is now immortalized in the jazz canon and yielded several undisputed classics that are now regarded as standards of the genre. Basie died in 1984, but the Count Basie Orchestra has continued on, recording and touring under the direction of several different bandleaders who have attempted to carry on his spirit and legacy.