Movies: Count Basie

Documentary film detailing the history of Kansas City jazz....

Told in Count Basie's own words, this biography sheds light on both the professional and the private life of the world-famous bandleader and pianist who became a jazz icon for his generation....

Improvisational jazz performance filmed in 1950 by Gjon Mili plus Duke Ellington Trio filmed in July 1966, Count Basie at the Montreux Jazz Festival 1977, Joe Pass 1979, Ella Fitzgerald 1979, and Oscar Peterson at the Montreux Jazz Festival 1977....

Though it was taped 16 years after the first A Man And His Music special, this final installment continues to uphold the high standards of the series, thanks in no small part to the accompaniment of the legendary Count Basie and his orchestra....

Mantan Moreland hosts a series of filmed song, dance and band numbers by various artists, mostly released previously as individual "soundies"....

Count Basie does a little rhyming rapping before going into this Benny Goodman instrumental composition. While he's playing, plenty of couples are jitterbugging constantly until, one by one, they get tired and start to fall down on the floor....

Dennis Awe Performs 38 of his all time favourite songs....

Count Basie Orchestra's "Take Me Back, Baby"....

Count Basie and His Orchestra playing us a boogie....

The two musical masters swing out....