The Man and His Music

NPR profiles the swing master Count Basie:

From 1935 to his death in 1984, pianist and bandleader Count Basie led one of the most important jazz institutions of the 20th century, in the process forging a distinctive sound that changed the jazz landscape. By merging the sounds of his musical upbringing in Harlem and Kansas City, he developed a unique brand of swinging blues that made audiences across the world want to dance.

Listen to the program here.