Basie Center Way: Red Bank Celebrates NJ Music Legend

RED BANK, NJ — The Count Basie Center for the Arts hosted a celebration on Friday honoring Red Bank native and musical legend William “Count” Basie on what would have been his 122nd birthday.

The event included the unveiling of a marker designating the historic building as a spot on the New Jersey Black Heritage Trail, the ceremonial naming of the street to Basie Center Way, the presentation of the Count Basie Jazz Vanguard award to concert promoter Jerry Bakal, and a performance from the legendary Count Basie Orchestra.

The program, which included remarks from Lt. Governor Dr. Dale Caldwell and several other elected officials, as well as a video message from Governor Mikie Sherrill, was part of the Basie Center’s Centennial Celebration.

• Read More: Count Basie Center For The Arts Announces 16-Month ‘Centennial Celebration’

“The reality is that to bring people together, we need to celebrate everyone’s heritage,” Lieutenant Governor Dr. Dale Caldwell said. “By celebrating our heritage, by celebrating the people, the ancestors that we’re standing on, we come together as people.”

Assemblywoman Margie Donlan and Assemblywoman Luanne Peterpaul presented a ceremonial resolution to honor the occasion, while Senator Andy Kim sent a congressional recognition ahead of the day's events.

“For us, bearing Basie’s name comes with a wonderful responsibility,” Adam Philipson, CEO and President of the Basie Center, said. “To tell his story honestly, to preserve what he built, and to make sure the next generation knows that one of the giants of American music started out right here.”

Sara Cureton, Executive Director of the New Jersey Historical Commission, added that the Black Heritage Trail “reveals the diversity and depth of the Black experience in New Jersey.”

“Thank you for nominating this site to join the trail,” Cureton said.

Following the unveiling of the trail marker, the celebration of Count Basie’s birthday continued when Jerry Bakal, jazz concert promoter, received the Count Basie Center for the Arts Jazz Vanguard Award.

“Jazz is documentary, and it tells it like it is,” said Bakal, who has been collaborating with the Basie Center for more than 20 years. “That type of music has to be authentic.”

The stretch of Monmouth Street between Pearl Street and Maple Street was then ceremoniously renamed Basie Center Way to acknowledge the organization’s impact on Red Bank, the community and the region.

“People don’t realize what one great institution can bring to the whole community,” said Monmouth County Commissioner Director Tom Arnone.

“It is amazing,” Red Bank Mayor Billy Portman added. “A lot of people’s first impression of Red Bank is obviously coming to a show here.”

The celebration concluded with a performance from the legendary Count Basie Orchestra, which was free to the public.

“Every year, this moment gives us two things to hold onto at once: gratitude for what Count Basie left behind, and a reminder that his legacy stays alive because people carry it forward,” said Jeremy Grunin, Chair of the Count Basie Center Board of Trustees & NJ Arts Council Member.

“We honor the musicians, educators, producers and promoters who keep this music in front of new audiences, generation after generation.”

To learn more, you can visit the Count Basie Center for the Arts website.