Count Basie through His Own Eyes
This revealing biography, told in Count Basie’s own words, uncovers for the first time the private passions and ambitions that inspired the world-famous bandleader and pianist.
This revealing biography, told in Count Basie’s own words, uncovers for the first time the private passions and ambitions that inspired the world-famous bandleader and pianist.
Until now, little was known about Basie’s private and family life, but director Jeremy Marre uncovered a treasure-trove of home movies and photo albums that expose Basie’s remarkable relationship with his wife Catherine, whose pioneering support for African-American causes placed her at the side of Martine Luther King. Through Basie’s intimate footage and letters - and interviews with friends like Quincy Jones and Annie Ross - we discover the Count’s protective love for his disabled daughter Diane who ‘was never out of his heart and mind: the hidden core of his creative life’.
Basie’s musical achievements were remarkable: the first African-American to win a Grammy, he brought the Blues to the big band podium. He was ‘the King of the Swing Kings’. We see rare performances with Sinatra, Billie Holiday, Sammy Davies Jnr. and many others. But this film digs deeper, uncovering the inner motivation and passions that drove Basie’s career as he became a unique link between jazz and America’s turbulent social history.
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Music Played
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Count Basie
Bugle Blues
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Fats Waller
A Handful of Keys
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Bennie Moten's Kansas City Orchestra, Count Basie
New Vine Street Blues (1989 Remastered)
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Billie Holiday
God Bless The Child / Now Baby Or Never
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Count Basie & His Orchestra, Count Basie
Li'l Darlin'
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The Count Basie Orchestra
Teddy The Toad
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Count Basie, Joe Williams
Every Day I Have The Blues
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The Count Basie Orchestra
I Want A Little Girl (Album Version)
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Frank Sinatra
I Only Have Eyes For You
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Frank Sinatra
I've Got You Under My Skin
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The Count Basie Orchestra
April In Paris
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Count Basie
The Kid From Red Bank
Credits
Role | Contributor |
---|---|
Count Basie's Spoken Words | Clarke Peters |
Commentator | Dee Askew |
Commentator | Scotty Barnhart |
Commentator | Gregg Field |
Commentator | Will Friedwald |
Commentator | Gary Giddins |
Commentator | Bonnie Greer |
Producer | Jeremy Marre |
Producer | Peter Worsley |
Director | Jeremy Marre |
Broadcasts
- Fri 23 Oct 2020 21:00
- Sat 24 Oct 2020 01:45
- Mon 29 Mar 2021 00:25
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