William "Count" Basie (August 21, 1904 – April 26, 1984) was an American jazz pianist, organist, bandleader, and composer. Commonly regarded as one of the most important jazz bandleaders of his time, Basie led his popular Count Basie Orchestra for almost fifty years. Many notable musicians came to prominence under his direction, including tenor saxophonists Lester Young and Herschel Evans, trumpeters Buck Clayton and Harry "Sweets" Edison and singers Jimmy Rushing and Joe Williams. Basie's theme songs were "One O'Clock Jump" and "April In Paris." "Every Day I Have The Blues" (1955), sung by the deep-voiced Williams, was also a hit. Basie was a member of the Omega Psi Phi fraternity. Early life William James Basie was born on August 21,1904 in Red Bank, New Jersey to Harvey Lee Basie and Lillian Ann Childs, who lived on Mechanic Street. His father worked as coachman for a wealthy family. After automobiles replaced horses, hi