1904-84, African-American Jazz pianist and bandleader.
He worked in New York City and Kansas City, where he formed (1935) a highly influential big band that continues to present a powerful yet relaxed style of music featuring his own laconic piano. One of the musicians who played Birdland.
He considered his early influences to be James P. Johnson and Thomas "Fats" Waller.
See Jazz Big Band, Artie Shaw
Source:
http://www-music.duke.edu/jazz_archive/artists/basie.count/03/bio.html
Last Updated 04.11.02