Basie

American

[bey-see] / ˈbeɪ si /

noun

William Count, 1904–84, U.S. jazz pianist, bandleader, and composer.

Basie British

/ ˈbeɪsɪ /

noun

William , known as Count Basie . 1904–84, US jazz pianist, bandleader, and composer: associated particularly with the polished phrasing and style of big-band jazz

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Many bands are widely known and still beloved, none more so than that of Count Basie, which kept going for decades.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 26, 2026

Born in Trowbridge, Wiltshire, he began his career on BBC radio, and interviewed composers and musicians as varied as Francis Poulenc, Count Basie, Oscar Hammerstein and Glenn Gould in 1950s and 60s.

From BBC • Dec. 17, 2025

I just assume he couldn't recollect or revel in discussions about Count Basie and Duke Ellington and sitting on the bandstand and blowing trumpet with many other people, especially in Hollywood.

From Salon • Apr. 19, 2025

Black history novels filled the shelves in their home, and Count Basie, Duke Ellington and Billie Holiday records, among others, formed the soundtrack of their lives.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 24, 2025

Now Count Basie turned on the showtime blast, and the other dancers moved off the floor, shifting for good watching positions, and began their hollering for their favorites.

From "The Autobiography of Malcolm X" by Alex Malcolm X;Hailey

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023