Spoiler : Basie, Count (birth name was William Basie) Born in Red Bank, New Jersey 8/21/1904; died 4/26/1984 of pancreatic cancer in Hollywood, Florida. Nicknamed the "Jump King." The Count moved to Kansas in 1928, and began his career touring with a vaudeville troop, playing with bands of Page's Blue Devils and Benny Moten. He became a bandleader when he took over the Benny Moten band when Moten died in 1935.

Spoiler : Radio debut when discovered by Jazz critic John Hammond when Basie was performing at the Kansas City Reno Club. New York debut at the Roseland Ballroom and Famous Door clubs in 1938. Composer of his theme song, "One O'Clock Jump." Heard on many band remotes from the late 30's through the 40's, the WWII program of Command Performance (1942-1949); the Armed Forces Radio Service program of Jubilee (1942-1953). The Count Basie Orchestra provided music for Rock 'n' Roll Dance Party on CBS-Radio (1956).

Spoiler : The Count Basie Orchestra was a guest on many television programs including America's Greatest Bands for CBS (1955); The Nat "King" Cole Show for NBC (1956-1957); The Jerry Lewis Show for ABC (1963); Duke Ellington, We Love You Madly for CBS (1972). Composed the theme, "Theme From M Squad" for the NBC-Television series "M Squad" (1958-1960). Elected to the Down Beat Hall Of Fame in 1958.