A defining big band album capturing Basie's energetic swing, featuring notable arrangements and classic tracks that epitomize his style.
Artist page · 04/07/2026
Count Basie
About
Count Basie, The heartbeat of Kansas City swing and a big band legend.
Over a dozen jazz LPs including classic original pressings of The Atomic Mr. Basie and The Gifted Ones command collector interest.
William 'Count' Basie shaped the jazz world with his distinctive piano style and leadership of a big band that became synonymous with swing. Beginning in the late 1920s in Kansas City, he merged talent from the "Blue Devils" and Bennie Moten's orchestra, eventually leading his own ensemble featuring notable soloists like Lester Young and Buck Clayton. The Basie band's rhythm section—featuring Basie on piano, Walter Page on bass, and Jo Jones on drums—was foundational to its signature sound.
Basie's big band became a staple on the New York jazz circuit and collaborated with vocalists such as Billie Holiday and Frank Sinatra. Post-WWII, Basie reformed his orchestra with fresh members influenced by bebop, keeping the sound current.
Discography
Count Basie — Discography
Studio albums, EPs and notable live records, from newest to oldest. Drag the timeline to browse.
Pablo Records · 1980
Pablo Today · 1980
Pablo Records · 1980
Sandy Hook Records · 1979
Pablo Records · 1979
Pablo Records · 1979
Pablo Records · 1978
Pablo Live · 1977
Locomotive · 1977
Giants Of Jazz Records · 1977
Rarities · 1977
Pablo Records · 1977
Pablo Records · 1975
Pablo Records · 1975
Roulette · 1975
Pablo Records · 1975
Pablo Records · 1975
Pablo Records · 1974
Polydor · 1974
Flying Dutchman · 1973
Daybreak Records · 1972
Daybreak Records · 1971
Pickwick/33 Records · 1970
Happy Tiger Records · 1970
MPS Records · 1970
Paramount Records · 1969
Dot Records · 1969
Brunswick · 1968
Dot Records · 1968
Dot Records · 1968
Decca · 1967
Brunswick · 1967
Command · 1966
Roulette · 1960
Roulette · 1960
Columbia · 1959
Roulette · 1959
TAX ·
Curcio ·
Pablo Records · Playlist
Signature tracks
The tracks that sum up Count Basie's career.


The essentials
The 3 Count Basie albums you absolutely need
Our pick, validated by the editorial team.
A 1979 Pablo Records release showcasing Basie’s continued big band vitality with wide-ranging jazz compositions and accomplished soloists.
Released in 1980, this LP features extended pieces including the title track nearly 13 minutes in length blending smooth swing with blues elements.
Go further
Artists similar to Count Basie
Artists who share part of Count Basie's musical DNA.
Collectors
For vinyl die-hards
The hidden side of the catalogue: rare pressings, sought-after matrices, Discogs values.
Market values (source: Discogs)
For each reference edition, these cards summarise the state of the global Discogs market. Market position places the average price of a copy between the observed min and max prices. Average price is the price seen for a mint-condition copy. Copies available counts listings currently for sale. Collectors who want it is the number of Discogs users who added it to their wantlist without owning it — a good signal of upcoming demand.
Notable pressings & editions
Face B
Side B: the hidden stories of Count Basie
Studio secrets, touring anecdotes and B-sides worth the whole album.
Basie's piano style was marked by an economy of notes and a profound sense of swing.— Count Basie's musical legacy
Kansas City roots and early career
In the late 1920s, Count Basie joined Bennie Moten's orchestra in Kansas City, where he composed 'Moten Swing' and developed his signature swing piano style.
Formation of Count Basie's orchestra
After Bennie Moten's death in 1935, Basie formed his own band mostly from Moten's and the Blue Devils' former members, quickly gaining fame with tenor saxophonists Lester Young and Herschel Evans.
1977 Montreux Jazz Festival concert
The Count Basie Orchestra played at the Montreux Jazz Festival in 1977, a renowned live performance that remains a key moment captured on vinyl.
Collaborations with iconic vocalists
Basie's orchestra featured celebrated singers like Billie Holiday, Joe Williams, and Frank Sinatra, enriching his jazz offerings with vocal jazz classics.
Records by Count Basie
See all
FAQ
FAQ: Count Basie on physical formats
The most common questions about pressings, reissues and limited editions.
What are Count Basie's most famous songs?
Among Count Basie's best-known tracks are 'One O'Clock Jump' and 'Jumpin' At the Woodside', staples of the swing era.
Where was Count Basie born?
Count Basie was born in Red Bank, New Jersey, United States, in 1904.
What style of jazz did Count Basie play?
Count Basie was renowned for swing and big band jazz styles, known for its rhythmic drive and soloist interplay.
Are original Count Basie vinyl records rare in Germany?
Original pressings such as the German releases of 'Night Rider' are sought after but more common, with multiple copies available on vinyl collector markets.
Which labels released Count Basie's vinyl records in France?
Count Basie vinyl has been released under various labels accessible in France including Pablo Records and Intermusic, among others.
What distinguishes Count Basie's piano style on vinyl?
Basie's piano playing is distinguished by minimalistic note use paired with strong rhythm and swing, making his vinyl recordings distinctively rhythmic and smooth.
What is the importance of 'The Atomic Mr. Basie' album on vinyl?
'The Atomic Mr. Basie' stands out for its classic big band arrangements and has become a definitive reference in Basie's discography on vinyl.
How many tracks are on the 'On The Road' LP?
The 'On The Road' album contains 10 tracks, featuring titles like 'Wind Machine' and 'Splanky'.
Transparency
Sources & method
This page is compiled by the vinyles.com editorial team from public sources and our marketplace.
Our method
- Discographic data from MusicBrainz (dates, countries, activity period).
- Tracklists, artwork and genres retrieved via Discogs Masters.
- Values (low / median / high) and stock from the Discogs Marketplace.
- Audience and similar artists via Last.fm.
- Page updated automatically and reviewed by the editorial team.



