Masters Of American Music — Season 1, Episode 3: Count Basie - Swingin' The Blues

Episode synopsis

A leading musician of the Swing era and an outstanding representative of the Big Band style, Count Basie was an eminent bandleader and jazz pianist. He led one of the most enduring swing bands of all time; no other musician was ever more committed to stomping, shouting, swinging, jumping, and dragging away the Blues than Count Basie.

About Masters Of American Music

Masters of American Music is a multi-award-winning television series, as entertaining and memorable as it is educational, it is a must have for any true music fan. The series celebrates a pantheon of the greatest musical innovators with individual programmes tracing the lives and works of master musicians who defined the course of American’s musical history. From the birth of the blues in New Orleans to Swing, Big Band, Bebop, Free Jazz and beyond – all of this rich tapestry is explored with sensitivity and unique depth. The featured artists come to life through conversations with their contemporaries, exciting and rare live performances, period footage and vintage photographs, all of which have been meticulously produced.

More episodes from Season 1

• E1Bluesland - A Portrait In American Music
• E2Louis Armstrong – Satchmo
• E4Ray Charles - The Genius Of Soul
• E5John Coltrane - The World According To John Coltrane
• E6Billie Holiday - Lady Day - The Many Faces Of Billie Holiday
• E7Thelonious Monk – American Composer
• E8Charlie Parker - Celebrating Bird - The Triumph Of Charlie Parker
• E9Sarah Vaughan - The Divine One
• E10The Story Of Jazz