I was always willing to say, "Let's see what happens," when something came up that looked like it might help me get a little closer to where I wanted to be . . . — 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
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
Of course, there are a lot of ways you can treat the blues, but it will still be the blues. — Count Basie Copy Share
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
Well, if you find a note tonight that sounds good, play the same damn note every night! — Count Basie Copy Share
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
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
If you find a note tonight that sounds good, play the same damn note every night! — Count Basie Copy Share
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
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
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
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… — Count Basie Copy Share
I just think swing is a matter of some good things put together that you can really pat your foot by. I can't define… — Count Basie Copy Share
