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 Basie Copy Share Image
I think the band can really swing when it swings easy, when it can just play along like you are cutting butter, — Count Basie Copy Share Image
I don't dig that two-beat jive the New Orleans cats play. My boys and I have to have four heavy beats to the bar… — Count Basie Copy Share Image
Of course, there are a lot of ways you can treat the blues, but it will still be the blues. — Count Basie Copy Share Image
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 Basie Copy Share Image
Well, if you find a note tonight that sounds good, play the same damn note every night! — Count Basie Copy Share Image
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.… — Count Basie Copy Share Image
It's the way you play that makes it . . . Play like you play. Play like you think, and then you got it,… — Count Basie Copy Share Image
If you find a note tonight that sounds good, play the same damn note every night! — Count Basie Copy Share Image
I got everything I wanted. When I was young in Kansas City, I knew nothing about Frank Sinatra, Billy Eckstine, Ella Fitzgerald, of all… — Count Basie Copy Share Image
Freddie Green has been my right arm for thirty years. And if he leaves the band one day, I'll probably leave with him. — Count Basie Copy Share Image
I decided that I would be one of the biggest new names; and I actually had some little fancy business cards printed up to… — Count Basie Copy Share Image
![“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.” quote by Count Basie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/a05/count-basie-25671_being-honest_i-ll-always-remember-when-i-first-heard_1061475.jpg)
