Basie Quotes

We play the Basie stuff, the old spirituals, in big-band style. We do gospel and add a few grooves here and there to make it fresh. To me, the perfect concert would be where 13-year-olds and 75-year-olds are dancing to the same song. - Kendrick Oliver

To swing like Count Basie and have the impact of Mahalia Jackson. - Kendrick Oliver

Strangely enough, in movie writing I've been more influenced by big bands than by any other film composer. The big bands of the 'forties and then the carry-over into the modern jazz field - Basie, Ellington, all the way up to Mulligan - these are my influences rather than, say, Franz Waxman or Tiomkin or anyone like that. I don't think in their terms. - Henry Mancini

Of course, there are a lot of ways you can treat the blues, but it will still be the blues. - Count Basie

More than anybody else I'd like to thank Count Basie for teaching me how to perform. - Tony Bennett

It's the way you play that makes it . . . Play like you play. Play like you think, and then you got it, if you're going to get it. And whatever you get, that's you, so that's your story. - Count Basie

I'm saying: to be continued, until we meet again. Meanwhile, keep on listening and tapping your feet. - Count Basie

I'm from Houston, I grew up in church, I've been singing that way since I was a boy. Kevin is from the blues capital of the world, Kansas City. We can't do a Count Basie tribute without that. You'll hear the South in anything we do. - Kendrick Oliver

If you play a tune and a person don't tap their feet, don't play the tune. - Count Basie