Blue Alto Saxophone
 |
![School Days Remaster] by Dizzy Gillespie CD Oct 2](http://www.saxophone-place.com/images/e/120913700496_0.jpg) School Days Remaster] by Dizzy Gillespie CD Oct 2  US $1.29
|
 In Your Face by Chris Daniels CD Sep 1992 Flying US $3.00
|
 Legacy AS750 Student Alto Saxophone Excellent WAREHOUSE CLEARANCE SALE US $229.00
|
 Vintage 1953 CG Conn 6M Naked Lady Eb Alto Saxophone Sax Very Good Condition US $799.00
|
 CHARLIE PARKER BURNIN BIRD CD NEW US $3.83
|
 RED NORVO THE MODERN RED NORVO 2 CDs NEW US $3.00
|
 Charlie Hunter Plays Bob Marley NATTY DREAD on Blue Note CD US $6.99
|
![Ken Burns Jazz The Story of Americas Music Box] CD Nov 2000 5 Discs](http://www.saxophone-place.com/images/e/350565408147_0.jpg) Ken Burns Jazz The Story of Americas Music Box] CD Nov 2000 5 Discs US $9.99
|
 Stardust by Natalie Cole CD Sep 1996 Elektra US $.01
|
 Frank Zappa Chungas Revenge CD Rare 70 Psych Jazz Art Rock Classic Turtles OOP US $16.49
|
 Si Zentner His Orchestra Alive in Las Vegas by Si Zentner CD 1995 US $3.99
|
 |
Saxophone Isolated on White Background - 24"H x 16"W - Peel and Stick Wall Decal by Wallmonkeys
Sale Price: $33.99  |
 |
Charlie Parker Omnibook for E Flat Instruments : Recorded Solos
List Price: |
 |
The Eb Real Book, Sixth Edition
List Price: |
 |
Standard of Excellence, Book 2: E-Flat Alto Saxophone
List Price: |
 |
Vol. 1, How To Play Jazz & Improvise (Book & CD Set)
List Price: |
One of the all time greats of jazz is William "Count" Basie. He was an American jazz pianist, bandleader, and composer. Widely regarded as one of the most important jazz bandleaders of his time, Basie led his popular Count Basie Orchestra for almost 50 years.
Count Basie was born William Basie on the 21st of August 1904 in Red Bank, New Jersey. He was formally taught piano in his younger days. A dreamer, he always fantasized about a life on the road always traveling inspired by the carnivals that came to town every now and then. He was no newbie to showbiz. He used to hang around the Palace Theater at his hometown Red Bank and do small chores from where he used to get the money to attend the shows that were held at the venue.
He soon enough learned how to handle the lights for the vaudeville shows held at Palace Theater. On one occasion, when the pianist didn't arrive in time, he filled in. He was soon able to play and improvise and play background music for silent movies.
Basie also had great taken for another instrument - the drums - but was forced to forego the drums for the piano after seeing Sonny Greer play. The two played together in their younger days. He realized that he was no competition to him.
Basie soon got involved in the local music scene playing gigs with pickup groups. One of the many groups that he played for was Harry Richardson's "Kings of Syncopation." At age 20, he moved to Harlem which was the place for a jazz musician to be at that time and was staying just a small distance from the Alhambra Theatre. He was fortunate to meet many of the musicians who were making a name for themselves - Willie "The Lion" Smith, James P Johnson and his drumming nemesis Sony Greer.
He got himself gigs touring and playing with many acts like Katie Krippen and Her Kiddies (who were one of the groups in the Hippity Hop Show), vaudeville organizer Benjamin Franklin Keith's shows, Columbia Burlesque and the Theater Bookers Owners Association's vaudeville shows. He also was accompanist to blues crooners Katie Krippen and Gonzelle White. He travelled extensively trough out America for these tours and met many top jazz musicians of the time including Louis Armstrong while on tour.
Basie became the in house pianist at Leroy's - a joint that was famed for the cutting competitions held there. While serving as pianist at Leroy's, he met Fats Waller, who at the time used to play the organ for silent movies, who taught him how to play the organ. It came useful for Basie when he got a gig playing the organ at Eblon Theater later. Willie Smith helped him out when gigs started to get rare arranging for him to play at house rent parties. He also introduced him to the elite musicians of the time in addition to teaching a few tricks at the keys.
1928 saw his collaboration with another big band - Walter Page and His Blue Devils - whom he saw play. He was invited to join the band as they traveled mainly through out Oklahoma and Texas playing gigs. His stint with Walter Page and His Blue Devils gave him the name "Count" by which the whole world knows him. A stint with Bennie Moten's band moved him to a classier and respected playing style as compared to the blues tendencies of the music that he played with The Blue Devils. Basie took the extra responsibility of being one of the two arrangers of the band. He played four hand piano and at times play dual pianos with band leader Moten.
After Moten was voted out of the band, the band was called Count Basie and his Cherry Blossoms. The band didn't last for long until a while after the death of Moten. Basie started a new outfit with many of his colleagues from his last band in addition to Lester Young who played tenor saxophone. His stint with this group brought forth his signature tune - "One O'Clock Jump." The song was initially written in D Flat but ended up being played in the key of F.
His band, the name of which was changed to Count Basie and His Barons of Rhythm got a elongated gig at Grand Terrace Ballroom, Chicago. The name change was because the rhythm section was the strongest section of the band. He also was the first to use two tenor saxophone players while most bands used only one.
The two tenor saxophonists soon started having a difference of opinion of each other's playing. To sort things out, Basie placed them on either side of the alto players which led to literal duels between the two - something that caught on when other bands started using the split tenor arrangement.
A free email newsletter on exciting piano chords and chord progressions from Duane Shinn is available free at "Exciting Piano Chords & Chord Progressions!"
|
Tags: artist, blue alto saxophone, blue alto saxophone case, blue alto saxophone price, blue alto saxophone sale, blue alto saxophone with gold keys, charlie, jazz, music, parker