What type of jazz is Taxi War Dance?
10 “Taxi War Dance” This piece, composed and arranged by Count Basie and Lester Young is an example of Kansas City jazz. This lighter version of jazz was based on repeated riffs. This song has a moderate tempo that is kept by the soft tapping of the drums and cymbals.
Who recorded the tenor sax on Taxi War Dance with the Count Basie band?
Lester Young
The title of “Taxi War Dance,” the classic 1939 Count Basie record starring the tenor saxophone icon Lester Young, sounds like something out of “Transformers.” But I’ve always assumed that the title referred not to anthropomorphic automobiles, but to the so-called taxi dancers of the 1920s and ’30s who would dance with …
What was the instrumentation of the Count Basie Orchestra?
This nine-piece group was known for its legendary soloists including, Joe Keyes and Oran ‘Hot Lips’ Page on trumpet, Buster Smith and Earle Warren on alto saxophone, Lester Young on tenor saxophone, Dan Minor on trombone, and a rhythm section made up of Jo Jones on drums, Walter Page on bass and Basie on piano.
Who was in the Count Basie rhythm section?
From its inception, Basie’s band was well known for its outstanding rhythm section of Basie on piano, Freddie Green on guitar, Walter Page on bass, and “Papa” Jo Jones on drums. Known as the “All-American Rhythm Section”, they became the gold standard for Swing Era.
Who composed Taxi War Dance?
Taxi War Dance/Composers
What was Count Basie known for?
Count Basie, byname of William Basie, (born August 21, 1904, Red Bank, New Jersey, U.S.—died April 26, 1984, Hollywood, Florida), American jazz musician noted for his spare, economical piano style and for his leadership of influential and widely heralded big bands.
Why was Count Basie so successful?
A pianist, Count Basie played vaudeville before eventually forming his own big band and helping to define the era of swing with hits like “One O’Clock Jump” and “Blue Skies.” In 1958, Basie became the first African American male recipient of a Grammy Award.
Why was Count Basie so important?
Count Basie is considered one of the greatest bandleaders of all times. He was the arbiter of the big-band swing sound and his unique style of fusing blues and jazz established swing as a predominant music style.
Why was Count Basie called the count?
The new band billed itself as Count Basie and his Cherry Blossom Orchestra, marking the first time that “Count” was officially added to his name. Though stories abound at the genesis of his nickname, Basie later recalled it as a tribute to his penchant for slipping off during arranging sessions with Moten.
Was Count Basie married?
Catherine Morganm. 1942–1983
Count Basie/Spouse
He quickly made a name for himself playing the piano at local venues and parties around town until he moved to New York City in search of greater opportunities. After a decade-long courtship, Basie married dancer Catherine Morgan, his second wife, on his birthday in 1942. They had one daughter, Diane, in 1944.
