Biography
Count Basie and Joe Williams represent two pivotal figures in jazz history. Count Basie, born William James Basie on August 21, 1904, in Red Bank, New Jersey, was a renowned bandleader and pianist known for his distinctive 'less is more' style, which emphasized simplicity and precision in his music. His orchestra became one of the most celebrated big bands in jazz, featuring a minimalist approach that allowed soloists to shine. Joe Williams, born Joseph Goreed on December 12, 1918, in Cordele, Georgia, was raised in Chicago and began his professional singing career at 16. He gained fame as the vocalist for Count Basie's Orchestra from 1954 to 1961, bringing a smooth baritone voice to classics like 'Every Day I Have the Blues' and 'Alright, Okay, You Win.' Their collaboration marked a significant period in Basie's career, contributing to the band's resurgence in popularity during the 1950s. Following his time with Basie, Williams pursued a successful solo career, collaborating with numerous jazz legends and winning a Grammy Award in 1984. Basie's legacy as a bandleader and Williams' as a vocalist have profoundly influenced jazz, with their work together remaining iconic in the genre.
Fun Facts
- Joe Williams' signature song 'Every Day I Have the Blues' was originally recorded by Memphis Slim, but Williams' version with Count Basie became the most famous.
- Count Basie's minimalist style was often described as 'less is more,' emphasizing the power of simplicity in jazz.
- Joe Williams won a Grammy Award in 1984 for Best Jazz Vocal Performance with the album 'Nothin’ but the Blues'.
Musical Connections
Mentors/Influences
- Fats Waller - early influence (various performances) [1930s-1940s]
- Lionel Hampton - early mentorship (performances with Hampton's orchestra) [1940s]
Key Collaborators
- Count Basie - lead vocalist for Basie's Orchestra (Every Day I Have the Blues, Alright, Okay, You Win) [1954-1961]
- Harry Edison - coleader of a group (various recordings) [1960s]
- Cannonball Adderley - recording sessions (various albums) [1960s-1970s]
Artists Influenced
- Diana Krall - influence on contemporary jazz vocalists (various albums) [1990s-present]
- Kevin Mahogany - influence on male jazz vocalists (various albums) [1990s-2000s]
Connection Network
Discography
Albums
| Title | Release Date | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Sinatra/Basie: The Complete Reprise Studio Recordings | 1962-12-10 | Album |
| It Might As Well Be Swing | 1964-08 | Album |
| From Q, With Love | 1999-02-09 | Album |
| The Atomic Mr Basie | 1958 | Album |
| Straight Ahead | 1998-01-01 | Album |
| The Complete Decca Recordings | 1992-01-01 | Album |
| April In Paris (Expanded Edition) | 1956 | Album |
| The Complete Atomic Basie | 1994-02-28 | Album |
| Standing Ovation | 1969-01-01 | Album |
| The Complete Clef & Verve Fifties Studio Recordings | 2005-06-27 | Album |
| Tony Bennett With Count Baise | 1967 | Album |
| The Essential Count Basie | 2014-03-07 | Album |
| Jazz for Spring: Ella Fitzgerald | 2025-04-10 | Album |
| Chairman Of The Board | 2003-06-01 | Album |
Top Tracks
- Fly Me To The Moon (In Other Words) (Sinatra/Basie: The Complete Reprise Studio Recordings)
- Fly Me To The Moon - 2008 Remastered
- Fly Me To The Moon
- Fly Me To The Moon (In Other Words) (It Might As Well Be Swing)
- Splanky (The Atomic Mr Basie)
- On The Sunny Side Of The Street
- The Best Is Yet To Come (Sinatra/Basie: The Complete Reprise Studio Recordings)
- The Best Is Yet To Come - 2008 Remastered
- Hay Burner (Straight Ahead)
- Alright, Okay, You Win
External Links
Heard on WWOZ
Count Basie w/Joe Williams has been played 1 time on WWOZ 90.7 FM, New Orleans' jazz and heritage station.
| Date | Time | Title | Show | Spotify |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 27, 2025 | 01:08 | Every Day I Have The Bluesfrom Count Basie Swings, Joe Williams Sings | The Dean's Listw/ Dean Ellis |