Count Basie, born William James Basie on August 21, 1904, in Red Bank, New Jersey, was an influential American jazz pianist, organist, bandleader, and composer. He is celebrated for his leadership of the Count Basie Orchestra, a big band noted for its swing style and innovative arrangements. Basie's early musical education came from his parents, both musicians, and he received piano lessons from his mother. He was further influenced by Harlem pianists James P. Johnson and Fats Waller, the latter providing informal organ lessons.

Basie's professional career began in vaudeville, and he became stranded in Kansas City, Missouri, in 1927. There, he joined Walter Page's Blue Devils and later Bennie Moten's band. Following Moten's death in 1935, Basie formed his own orchestra, which quickly gained fame for its distinctive Kansas City swing style, characterized by a strong rhythm section and sectional riffing. His band became renowned for its legendary soloists, including tenor saxophonist Lester Young and trumpeter Buck Clayton, and for its rhythm section featuring guitarist Freddie Green and drummer Jo Jones.

The Count Basie Orchestra achieved significant success during the swing era, with hits like "One O'Clock Jump" and "Jumpin' at the Woodside." Despite challenges such as the wartime ban on recordings and the bebop revolution, Basie adapted by forming a medium-sized band in 1950 before returning to the big band format in 1951. His orchestra continued to thrive, bolstered by hits like "April in Paris" in the late 1950s.

Basie's minimalist piano style, emphasizing spareness and precision, became his trademark, setting him apart from other pianists known for technical prowess. Throughout his career, Basie was a shrewd judge of talent, working with many prominent musicians and vocalists, including Billie Holiday and Jimmy Rushing. He received numerous accolades, including Grammy Awards and Kennedy Center Honors, and his influence on jazz and big band music remains profound. Count Basie passed away on April 26, 1984, in Hollywood, Florida, leaving behind a legacy as one of jazz's most enduring figures.