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Count Basie: Then As Now, Count's the King

Basie, Count

Television Director: Keys, Gary

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Playing Time: 01:10:35

Catalogue Number: MVD5072D

UPC: 760137507291

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Jazz great William "Count" Basie comes back to life in this rich documentary, which traces the history of the pianist, composer, and bandleader over several decades. Filmmaker Gary Keys juxtaposes a roundtable discussion among old cats from the Count Basie Orchestra with recorded performances, including a cameo performance in the film Blazing Saddles.

Archival clips and a gallery of portraits and snapshots show the ever-smiling face of a man as vivacious as the grooves he delivers - his good humor suffusing the music and the players going at it all around him, from Lester Young to Ella Fitzgerald.