Count Basie: A Jazz Pioneer who still inspires. 07/12/2019 Monday August 21st 2014 The Telegraph Count Basie: A Jazz Pioneer who still inspires. Martin Chilton Count Basie, who died 30 years ago, was born on August 21 1904. The big band star remains one of the most important figures in jazz. Read article Basie Newsbig band music, Count Basie, Count Basie Orchestra, jazz music, The TelegraphShare : Tweet