Jersey Shore Magazine

J e r s e y s h o r e • F A L L / H O L I D A Y 2 0 2 2 36 JERSEY SHORE PROFILE S ituated in the heart of Red Bank is New Jersey's premier center for the cultural arts. The Count Basie Center for the Arts, affectionately known as The Basie, is dedicated to fostering powerful, inclusive, artistic experiences and the creative exchange of ideas. The Count Basie Center for the Arts A World-Class Facility Built Upon the King of Swing's Legacy by Jill Ocone The Basie originally opened its doors in 1926 as Reade's Carlton Theater, and for more than forty years, entertained people of all ages with vaudeville shows, films, local and touring theater productions, and concerts. Twenty-two years before the birth of Reade's Carlton Theater, William J. "Count" Basie was born to Harvey Lee Basie, a coachman and caretak- er, and Lillian Childs Basie, a laun- dress, about one mile away from his namesake center at 229 Mechanic Street. Basie rose from operating lights during vaudeville shows and improvising piano accompaniments for silent films at movie theaters to being one of the greatest bandleaders of all time. His skill of combining blues and jazz sounds with his own unique style had an enormous influ- ence in shaping what became to be known as the big-band swing sound. In fact, Basie recorded on more than 480 albums in his life- time, both by himself and with The Count Basie Orchestra. The nine-time Grammy winner dubbed "The King of Swing" made a homecoming performance at the Carlton with over 1,700 fans in attendance shortly after performing for President John F. Kennedy's 1961 inauguration. As the Jersey Shore landscape transformed to become dotted with The Count Basie Center for the Arts, on Monmouth Street in Red Bank, is known for first class entertainment in an intimate setting. courtesy of The Count Basie Center for the Arts

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