Early life and education William Basie was born to Lillian (Childs) and Harvey Lee Basie in Red Bank, New Jersey.Basie Centennial Ball. His father worked as a coachman and caretaker for a wealthy judge. After automobiles replaced horses, his father became a groundskeeper and handyman for several wealthy families in the area.Basie, Count (1985). Good Morning Blues, p. 26. Both of his parents had some type of musical background. His father played the mellophone, and his mother played the piano; in fact, she gave Basie his first piano lessons. She took in laundry and baked cakes for sale for a living. She paid 25 cents a lesson for Count Basie's piano instruction.Basie (1985), p. 33.Count Basie and his Friends, myspace.com.
early life and education william basie was born to lillian (childs) and harvey lee basie in red bank new jerseybasie centennial ball his father worked as a coachman and caretaker for a wealthy judge after automobiles replaced horses his father became a groundskeeper and handyman for several wealthy families in the areabasie count (1985) good morning blues p 26 both of his parents had some type of musical background his father played the mellophone and his mother played the piano; in fact she gave basie his first piano lessons she took in laundry and baked cakes for sale for a living she paid 25 cents a lesson for count basie's piano instructionbasie (1985) p 33count basie and his friends myspacecom