Count Basie Quotes

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.

If you play a tune and a person don`t tap their feet, don`t play the tune.

Of course, there are a lot of ways you can treat the blues, but it will still be the blues.

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.

Well, if you find a note tonight that sounds good, play the same damn note every night!

I decided that I would be one of the biggest new names; and I actually had some little fancy business cards printed up to announce it, `Count Basie. Beware, the Count is Here.`

I`m saying: to be continued, until we meet again. Meanwhile, keep on listening and tapping your feet.