IN THE COUNTY LEGISLATURE OF JACKSON COUNTY, MISSOURI
Title
A RESOLUTION recognizing Count Basie Orchestra and their accomplishments.
Intro
RESOLUTION NO. 22241, April 13, 2026
INTRODUCED BY Manuel Abarca IV, County Legislator
Body
WHEREAS, Jazz Appreciation Month: We recognize the month-long tribute to jazz as both a historic and a living American art form; and,
WHEREAS, William "Count" Basie revolutionized jazz in Kansas City, his orchestra defined the era of swing with a hard-driving rhythm section and a "less is more" piano style that became legendary; and,
WHEREAS, from the Reno Club to the world stage, the Count Basie Orchestra established the "Kansas City Stomp", a sound that still resonates in the heart of America today; and,
WHEREAS, as of today, the Count Basie Orchestra remains the premier 18-piece jazz ensemble in history under the direction of Scotty Barnhart; and,
WHEREAS, the Orchestra has won 18 Grammy Awards, including a 2024 win for Basie Swings the Blues; and,
WHEREAS, in 1929, Count Basie joined Bennie Moten's Kansas City Orchestra, bringing his stride piano style to the ensemble; and,
WHEREAS, the nine band leaders who built the sound, to the soloists who defined it, include Charlie Parker, Count Basie, Mary Lou Williams, Bennie Moten, Lester Young, Big Joe Turner, Julia Lee, Ben Webster, and Jay McShann; and,
WHEREAS, the Reno Club introduced the Basie sound (and the name "Count") to a national audience; and,
WHEREAS, in 1935, Bandleader Bennie Moten died; Count Basie took over the remnants of the band, forming the Count Basie Orchestra; and,
WHEREAS, from the historic 18th & Vine Jazz District to the innovative sounds of today, Kansas City continues to prove that music is equally important in history and the future; and,
BE IT RESOLVED that the Jackson County Legislature recognizes the Count Basie Orchestra and their accomplishments.
Enacted and Approved
Effective Date: This Resolution shall be effective i...
Click here for full text