I, of course, wanted to play real jazz. When we played pop tunes, and naturally we had to, I wanted those pops to kick! Not loud and fast, understand, but smoothly and with a definite punch.
Count BasieRead
I never thought innovation as such was very important. Not when you have to think about it... If you're going to come up with a new direction or a really new way to do something, you'll do it by just playing your stuff and letting it ride. The real innovators did their innovating by just being themselves.
More from Count Basie
All quotes →All I wanted was to be big, to be in show business and to travel ... and that's what I've been doing all my life.
Count BasieRead
If you find a note tonight that sounds good, play the same damn note every night!
Count BasieRead
I'll always remember when I first heard Lester [Young]. I'd never heard anyone like him before. He was a stylist with a different sound. A sound I'd never heard before or since. To be honest with you, I didn't much like it at first.
Count BasieRead
I'm saying: to be continued, until we meet again. Meanwhile, keep on listening and tapping your feet.
Count BasieRead
Of course, there are a lot of ways you can treat the blues, but it will still be the blues.
Count BasieRead