Bennie Moten

Bennie Moten (1894 ? 1935) was a noted American jazz pianist and band leader. In 1929 he recruited Count Basie for his band Bennie Moten's Kansas City Orchestra, eventually allowing Basie to take over on piano. After Moten's death in 1935, Basie took many of the leading musicians from his band to form his own orchestra.

After Moten's death in 1935, Basie took many of the leading musicians from his band to form his own orchestra.