Count Basic
acid jazz | formed: 1995 | Austria

official bio

Founded in the early 90's Count Basic has become one of the representatives of the so called acid jazz scene along with bands such as Galliano, The Brand New Heavies, The Young Disciples or Incognito.

Brandmarked by its mastermind and guitarists Peter Legat and the incredible soul vocalist Kelli Sae, Count Basic can refer to an impressive track history of international success: two Smooth Jazz Nr. #1 Hits on US radio charts and more than 75,000 albums sold in the USA only. Nr. #1 Hit on the credible Japanese J-Wave radio station with sales of over 30,000 units, numerous Nr. #1 playlists all over the world and last but not least the success story in Count Basic's home territory Austria.

Since the release of their worldwide acclaimed debut album Life Think It Over in 1994 Count Basic have been part of Europe live touring circuit and have impressed audiences at e.g. The Jazz Cafe (London), Tinkoff Club (Moscow), Fabrik (Hamburg), Subterania (London), Head On (Oslo), Jazz Festival (Vienna), Palais Xtra (Zurich) or Hot Club de Paris (Paris) just to mention a few.

To perform live has always been very important to Count Basic who deliver a powerful live show with an 11 piece "big" band. Each of the performing musicians has his own track history from Vienna Art Orchestra to Jazzkantine, from Defunkt to Donna Summer — somewhere between Jazz, Soul, Pop and R'n'B.

Bigger & Brighter is Count Basic's 4th studio album and features a remarkable musical change: still sounding like Count Basic with the typical vocals of Kelli Sae, the incisive horn arrangements and Peter Legat's guitar style, the album has more pop appeal and R'n'B flavour than the earlier releases. However the typical Jazz influenced instrumentals that have become a trademark of the Count Basic style can also be found on Bigger & Brighter: "Maya" a Smooth Jazz song very much in the style of "M.L. in the sunshine" and the uptempo club burner "24bit Sushi".

Right next to the Jazz Style and the R'n'B flavour there is a third side to the music of Count Basic: the remixes. Released on The Remix Hit Collection no less than 7 Kruder & Dorfmeister Remixes, a remix of Vlado dZihan, one by Uptight and many other interesting reworks of Count Basic songs can be found. For 2003 Count Basic is ready for the big stages. Having performed over 100 club gigs around Europe the band is now bound for the Open Air-, Summer- and Jazzfestivals.