Count Basie formed a 16 to 18 piece big band in 2000.
William James `` Count '' Basie ( August 21 , 1904 -- April 26 , 1984 ) was an American jazz pianist , organist , bandleader , and composer . In 1929 he joined Bennie Moten 's band in Kansas City , and played with them until Moten 's death in 1935 . The Count Basie Orchestra is a 16 to 18 piece big band , one of the most prominent jazz performing groups of the swing era , founded by Count Basie in 1935 and recording regularly from 1936 .