Competition and onsite festival will locate and showcase the Garden State’s best student filmmakers – at home and out-of-state (RED BANK – OCT 15) The Count Basie Center for the Arts today announced the first-ever Count Basie Center Teen + College Film Fest, with the mission to locate, showcase and recognize student filmmakers from […]

Bobby Bandiera & Friends set historic night to benefit Parker Family Health Center and POAC Autism Services (RED BANK – OCT 15) Musician, bandleader and community icon Bobby Bandiera and the Count Basie Center for the Arts have announced details for HOPE 10 – THE FINAL HOPE CONCERT. The annual charity concert, which has raised […]

  (RED BANK – OCT 12) On the occasion of what would have been his 63rd birthday, details were announced today for the Pat DiNizio Musical Performance Scholarship, named in honor of the legendary frontman of The Smithereens who passed away last December. Beginning today, interested students may apply by completing the online form and […]

  (RED BANK | OCT 2) The nonprofit Count Basie Center for the Arts has announced a big-screen showing of Disney’s Coco as part of its annual celebration of Dia de los Muertos, sponsored by Basie’s partner program Calpulli Mexican Dance Company. The screening, which takes place on Saturday, Nov. 3 at 11am, will also […]

  (RED BANK | SEPTEMBER 28) Super Foodtown locations in Red Bank, Ocean, Port Monmouth, Atlantic Highlands and Sea Girt have joined forces to raise money for arts education programs at the nonprofit Count Basie Center for the Arts. From now through October 8th, shoppers can make a donation to the Basie upon checkout. It’s […]

  (RED BANK | SEPTEMBER 28) The Count Basie Center for the Arts, New Jersey’s premier nonprofit performing arts venue, has announced an exclusive dining program for Basie patrons. Beginning today, ticket buyers can purchase deals from three of Red Bank’s most popular dining destinations: Pazzo Restaurant on West Front Street, The Bistro at Red […]

  (RED BANK | SEPTEMBER 26) Comedian Jon Stewart makes a surprise appearance serving lunch on a food truck to the Count Basie Center’s local construction workers in support of the $27 million expansion project.  

  It’s happening. Work on the expansion of the Count Basie Center for the Arts reached a major milestone this week, as steel construction beams started protruding from the west side of the project – an area which will house the Jay and Linda Grunin Arts and Education Building, plus the Basie Center’s new second […]

  (RED BANK | JULY 13) The Count Basie Center for the Arts has announced an initial round of programming for the 2018 holiday season. Tickets go on sale Friday, July 20th at noon for A Charlie Brown Christmas (Saturday, Nov. 24; 1 & 4pm), the renowned Nebraska Caravan Theatre Company’s production of A Christmas […]

(RED BANK | JUNE 30) The Count Basie Center’s 2018 summer gala was a night that will live down in history! Honoring The Jay and Linda Grunin Foundation and a headlining performance by “Hamilton” Tony Award winner Leslie Odom, Jr. The night ended with a first time ever Count Basie Center duel featuring battling philanthropists […]

  (RED BANK | JUNE 11) The Count Basie Center for the Arts today announced it has received a grant from The Provident Bank Foundation (PBF) for its work in area schools. The $7,500 grant is just one of PBF’s First Cycle 2018 Major Grants, which give more than $200,000 across New Jersey and Pennsylvania, […]

(RED BANK | JUNE 11) The Count Basie Center for the Arts has announced the slate for its 2018-19 Broadway At The Basie series presented by World Subaru. National touring productions of The Wizard Of Oz (Oct. 21 – Nov. 1), Elf: The Musical (Nov. 12), Monty Python’s Spamalot (Two shows on Dec. 1), Legally […]

  (RED BANK | JUNE 6) Comedian Jon Stewart will participate in an onstage interview and audience Q&A on Sunday, June 17th at 8pm at the Count Basie Center for the Arts, 99 Monmouth Street, Red Bank. Tickets for the event, a benefit for the Basie Center’s capital campaign project, go on sale tomorrow (Thursday, […]

  (RED BANK | MAY 23) Every year, the Basie’s Education department forms an evaluation committee of theater lovers, performers and educators, who then attend and score upwards to 50 local productions. Buzz for the Basie’s kicks off in early May, with the announcement of nominees in 25 categories recognizing excellence in everything from acting and […]

  [RED BANK | MAY 18] – The Count Basie Center for the Arts has received a grant in the amount of $20,000 from The Horizon Foundation for New Jersey. The grant will fund the Basie’s “Curtains Up For Kids” school bus-in program, as well as its “Kids Shows at the Basie” series of family […]

  RWJBarnabas – Monmouth Medical Center-sponsored ceremony attracts crowd of 1,500+ (MAY 23, 2018 – RED BANK) Winners were announced this evening at the 13th annual BASIE AWARDS, honoring excellence in high school theater in Monmouth County. This year’s ceremony, presented by RWJBarnabas Health – Monmouth Medical Center, once again drew a sold out crowd of more than […]

  The name of jazz legend and Red Bank native William James “Count” Basie ascends to represent the sum of the nonprofit organization’s work in arts, education and the community (MAY 14, 2018 – RED BANK) With construction underway on its celebrated, $26 million expansion, officials Monday night at the Count Basie Theatre – the top-selling […]

  MONTCLAIR U, SUSSEX COUNTY TECHNICAL HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS TAKE TOP PRIZES RED BANK – PROJECT FX, the Count Basie Theatre’s statewide student film festival presented by Bank of America, announced last Saturday the winners of this year’s competition. “Dali Schonfelder: The Nalu Story,” a film by Sussex County Technical High School junior Madison Rambowski, […]

  RWJBarnabas-Monmouth Medical Center sponsors annual awards ceremony to take place May 23rd at the Basie (MAY 9, 2018 – RED BANK) Nominees have been announced for the 13th annual BASIE AWARDS, honoring excellence in high school theater in Monmouth County. This year’s ceremony, presented by RWJBarnabas Health – Monmouth Medical Center, takes place on the Asbury Park […]

  (RED BANK | APRIL 23) PROJECTFX, the Count Basie Theatre’s statewide student film festival sponsored by Bank Of America, today announced its 2018 finalist films as well as its panel of esteemed judges. The competing films – ten entries from Garden State high schoolers and an additional six from students attending New Jersey colleges […]

  (RED BANK | MARCH 28) As we approach April and Autism Awareness Month, the Count Basie Theatre is proud to present three mainstage, sensory-friendly programs and a new Basie Performing Arts Academy workshop geared specifically for parents, caregivers and children in the autism community. Onstage, the Basie will present three sensory-friendly performances: Goodnight, Goodnight […]

  (RED BANK | MARCH 27) The Count Basie Theatre Performing Arts Academy is proud to announce the return of its Basie Summer Opera camp program, a two-week, audition-based program in August under the direction of Eli Villanueva of the Los Angeles Opera and music director Jasom Tramm. Auditions are set for Saturday, April 14th from […]

(RED BANK | MARCH 23) Drawing on years of successful and renowned Cinco de Mayo concert celebrations, the Count Basie Theatre today announced its first-ever mariachi festival, to take place on Friday, May 4, 2018 at the historic nonprofit theater. Tickets for the BASIE MARIACHI FESTIVAL, priced at $25, are on sale now through theBASIE.org, […]

  (RED BANK | MARCH 9 2018) PROJECT FX 2018, the Count Basie Theatre’s statewide student film competition presented by Bank of America, has announced an extension deadline for this year’s competition. From now until Sunday, April 8, 2018 at 11:59pm, students enrolled at any New Jersey high school or college can visit https://thebasie.org/fx to […]

  (RED BANK | MAR 5) The historic Count Basie Theatre, the state’s top-selling performing arts theater and the namesake of jazz great William J. “Count” Basie, has announced Tony ® and Grammy ® award winning “Hamilton” star Leslie Odom, Jr. as headliner for its annual summer gala, which honors the Jay And Linda Grunin […]

  (RED BANK | FEB 26) The historic Count Basie Theatre, the state’s top-selling performing arts theater and the namesake of jazz great William J. “Count” Basie, has announced its second-ever Basie Summer Jazz Fest, starring Michael Franks, Lee Ritenour + Dave Grusin, Bob James Trio and Lizz Wright on Saturday, June 2, plus Snarky […]

  (RED BANK, NJ | FEB. 20) – The Citi-presented Little Steven’s Underground Garage at the Basie is back! Michael Nesmith and Micky Dolenz of The Monkees will visit the Count Basie Theatre June 25th for their first-ever national tour as a duo, with E-Street Band guitarist, Rock & Roll Hall Of Famer and Disciples […]

  (RED BANK, NJ | FEBRUARY 13) — The nonprofit Count Basie Theatre announced today receipt of a $10,000 contribution from White Castle Management Company towards the Pat DiNizio Musical Performance Scholarship fund, launched in January in honor of the late singer of New Jersey rockers The Smithereens. “The music of the Smithereens continues to […]

  (RED BANK, NJ | FEBRUARY 7) — National Endowment for the Arts Chairman Jane Chu has approved more than $25 million in grants as part of the NEA’s first major funding announcement for fiscal year 2018. Included in this announcement is an Art Works grant of $100,000 to the nonprofit Count Basie Theatre for […]

  RED BANK – The Count Basie Theatre has announced the availability of its annual Arts Impact scholarships available to Monmouth County high school seniors graduating in 2018. The Basie will proudly offer four scholarships: the Moser Taboada Arts Impact Scholarship, the Monmouth Medical Center – RWJBarnabas Health Arts Impact Scholarship, the Steven and Jaime Schultz […]

  On Saturday, January 13th, the Count Basie Theatre payed tribute to Pat DiNizio, not only a consummate performer, singer, songwriter and front man of The Smithereens — but a son, a father, a bandmate and a friend. We will miss one of New Jersey’s kindest and mightiest musical icons. In his honor a portion of ticket sales went […]

  The Count Basie Theatre’s 2018 winter gala was a magical evening of theatrical performances to awe, seduce and inspire; celebrating the hard work, commitment and grit that ushered the Basie’s construction project from a vision to a reality. We thank and honor the Restoration and Renovation Committee including Steven M. Schultz (co-chair), Stephen H. […]

  (RED BANK – JAN 9) This weekend’s Time And Time Again: A Celebration of Pat DiNizio concert at the historic Count Basie Theatre will be streamed live on theBASIE.org beginning at 8PM EST on Saturday, January 13th. “Time And Time Again: A Celebration of Pat DiNizio” came together following DiNizio’s passing last month. With […]

The landmark center for the performing arts and arts education continues as one of the metropolitan area’s three best ticket-selling theater venues (RED BANK – JAN. 8) The nonprofit Count Basie Theatre finished 2017 as New Jersey’s top ticket-selling theater venue, in a tally released by Pollstar, the official publication of the live events and […]

The annual day of philanthropy to focus on veterans; funds to be raised for Vet Tix and the New Jersey Run For The Fallen (RED BANK) “Giving Tuesday,” founded in 2012 by New York City’s 92nd St. YMCA and the United Nations Foundation, was originally a “response to commercialism and consumerism” during the holiday season. […]

Citi presents Little Steven’s Underground Garage at the Basie Saturday, Dec. 23; tickets on sale Friday, Oct. 27 (OCT. 20 | RED BANK, NJ) Little Steven & The Disciples Of Soul have announced a special, tour-ending ‘Holiday Homecoming’ performance at the Count Basie Theatre on Saturday, December 23. Tickets go on sale to the general […]

  (RED BANK – OCT. 18) The historic Count Basie Theatre and Hackensack Meridian Integrative Health & Medicine have joined forces for the Basie Health & Wellness Series, a group of programs designed to promote physical, emotional, mental, social, spiritual and environmental wellness through the arts. Author and renowned alternative medicine advocate Deepak Chopra returns […]

  Earlier this year, I played the Basie and paid tribute to legendary supergroup The Traveling Wilburys. We performed Wilburys songs, and we played music from Bob Dylan, Roy Orbison, Jeff Lynne, George Harrison, and Tom Petty. Tom Petty. God bless Tom Petty. He was one of the great American singer-songwriters, maybe one of the […]

  (RED BANK – SEPT. 27) The Calpulli Mexican Dance Company, a Queens-based troupe whose mission celebrates the rich diversity of Mexican and Mexican-American cultural heritage through dance-based programming and live music, will team with the nonprofit Count Basie Theatre for a series of Mexican dance classes and a celebration of Mexico’s Day of the […]

(RED BANK – SEPT. 21) Rock & Roll Hall of Famers Pearl Jam will unleash the documentary film Let’s Play Two in early October — and the Count Basie Theatre will proudly be part of the celebration. An area exclusive, the Basie screens Let’s Play Two on Tuesday, October 3 as part of the film’s […]

Nonprofit performing arts center also announces $2 million gift to create the Jay and Linda Grunin Arts and Education Building (RED BANK – SEPT. 20, 2017) The Count Basie Theatre today broke ground on a historic $23 million expansion, a project which will see the facility nearly double in size and become one of the […]

  EXCLUSIVE SONY PICTURES CLASSICS INTERNSHIP, FILM EQUIPMENT AND CASH PRIZES AT STAKE; LAST YEAR’S COMPETITION AND FESTIVAL RECOGNIZED 20 COLLEGE AND HIGH SCHOOL FILMS FROM THROUGHOUT THE GARDEN STATE   (RED BANK – SEPTEMBER 12, 2017) PROJECT FX 2016, the Count Basie Theatre’s statewide student film competition presented by Bank of America, is live […]

  This article, written by Count Basie Theatre President / CEO Adam Philipson, originally appeared in the Sunday, August 20 edition of the Asbury Park Press.   As a youngster, my school lacked a sports program. I was admittedly undisciplined, and I wasn’t book smart – at least not until later. However, my school did […]

  (AUGUST 7, 2017 | RED BANK) The historic, nonprofit Count Basie Theatre in Red Bank has announced the events making up its 2017-18 Broadway at the Basie series. Tickets for the following performances go on sale Friday at noon through theBASIE.org, phone charge at 732.842.9000 and the Count Basie Theatre box office: A Night […]

  (RED BANK) The nonprofit Count Basie Theatre announced this week the receipt of a generous grant from the OceanFirst Foundation. “It is so meaningful to have OceanFirst Foundation continue its support of the Count Basie Theatre,” said the Basie’s Maria Sorensen, Vice President of Development. “OceanFirst has a longstanding commitment to the arts in […]

  Performances set for the weekend of August 19th in Red Bank and Toms River; cast culled from Basie Performing Arts Academy camp with famed Los Angeles Opera director Eli Villanueva and musical director Jason Tramm   (RED BANK, NJ | JULY 12, 2017) The Count Basie Theatre Performing Arts Academy has revealed the names […]

  (JULY 10 – RED BANK, NJ) The nonprofit Count Basie Theatre announced today the appointment of Mark Landesman, Mark Rohl and Philip Scaduto to its Board of Trustees. Mark Landesman, a Certified Public Accountant, is President of ML Management Associates, Inc. (MLM), which oversees Eddie Murphy Productions, Inc. as well as affairs for Arsenio […]

  The Count Basie Theatre’s 2017 summer gala starred Huey Lewis and the News, celebrating the theater’s capital campaign as part of a $20 million expansion plan and honoring our supporters Carol Stillwell and Mary Ann Larkin. (Photos by Amanda Stevens for the Count Basie Theatre)  

On Saturday, May 27th, the Count Basie Theatre was proud to host Little Steven and the Disciples Of Soul for CITI PRESENTS: LITTLE STEVEN’S UNDERGROUND GARAGE AT THE BASIE. The concert was broadcast around the world on the NextVR and Sirius Satellite Radio platforms, and as a special treat, Steven’s “Boss” – Bruce Springsteen, who […]

  Every year, the Basie’s Education department forms an evaluation committee of theater lovers, performers and educators, who then attend and score upwards to 50 local productions. Buzz for the Basies kicks off in early May, with the announcement of nominees in 25 categories recognizing excellence in everything from acting and directing to set and […]

  (MAY 27, 2017 – RED BANK) Winners were announced this evening at the 12th annual Basie Awards, the yearly celebration of excellence and achievement in Monmouth County high school theater. “This year’s roster of musicals and dramatic productions were challenging choices for high school theater,” said Yvonne Lamb Scudiery, Vice President, Education, Count Basie […]

  (APRIL 12, 2017 | RED BANK) The historic Count Basie Theatre, a recognized 501 (c) (3) not for profit organization dedicated to arts education and outreach, announced today that the Monmouth Conservatory of Music, which has taught more than 10,000 area students to perform, understand and appreciate classical music for more than 50 years, […]

  (MAY 9, 2017 – RED BANK) Nominees have been announced for the 12th annual BASIE AWARDS, honoring excellence in high school theater in Monmouth County. This year’s ceremony takes place on the Asbury Park Press stage on Wednesday, May 24th at the Count Basie Theatre, 99 Monmouth Street, Red Bank. The BASIES began in […]

  (MAY 2, 2017 -RED BANK) – Registration for summer camps, classes and workshops at the Count Basie Theatre’s Performing Arts Academy are now open at theBASIE.org/education or by calling 732-224-8778 x 125. New this summer are experiences in do-it-yourself documentary making for teens and adults, digital music composition, recording arts and full-on productions of […]

  (APRIL 24, 2017 – RED BANK) Little Steven & The Disciples Of Soul will take the Basie stage for the first time ever when Citi Presents Little Steven’s Underground Garage at the Basie on Saturday, May 27, 2017 at 8pm. Tickets, priced between $39 and $89, go on sale this Friday, April 28 at […]

  (APRIL 20 – RED BANK) The Count Basie Theatre Performing Arts Academy today announced a summer residency with famed Los Angeles Opera director Eli Villanueva on a summer opera camp program for vocalists aged 10-17. The two-week intensive, open to students of all vocal types, culminates with a pair of performances of Brundibar, the […]

  (APRIL 19, 2017 – RED BANK) The nonprofit Count Basie Theatre today announced its participation in the OceanFirst Charity Challenge, a crowdsourcing fundraiser which will assist the Basie in raising money for its “Curtains Up For Kids” educational performance program for schools. Individuals are encouraged to visit thebasie.org and click the “Curtains Up For […]

(APRIL 2, 2017 – RED BANK)  The historic Count Basie Theatre, the state’s top-selling performing arts center and the namesake of jazz great William “Count” Basie, Jr., has announced the first-ever Basie Summer Jazz Fest, set over four mid-summer nights and starring Dave Koz and Larry Graham (July 26), Snarky Puppy (Friday, Aug. 4), Herbie […]

(MARCH 19, 2017 – RED BANK) PROJECT FX, the Count Basie Theatre’s statewide student film festival presented by Bank of America, announced on Saturday the winners of this year’s competition. “Red,” a film by Montclair University student Peter Dulshon, took home the award for Top College Film, while David LaPorta, a student at Shore Regional […]

  (MARCH 6, 2017 – RED BANK) – The Count Basie Theatre has announced an exclusive capital campaign partnership with the Asbury Park Press, granting the newspaper the naming rights to the historic Count Basie Theatre stage, where everyone from Bruce Springsteen, Tony Bennett, Bon Jovi and William “Count” Basie, Jr. himself has performed. Beginning […]

  (FEBRUARY 17, 2017 – RED BANK) The nonprofit Count Basie Theatre announced today the appointment of Monmouth County Freeholder and open space / historic preservation advocate Lillian Burry to its Board of Trustees. “The Board and leadership of the Count Basie Theatre is honored to have Freeholder Lillian Burry join our team in securing […]

  (FEBRUARY 16, 2017 – RED BANK)  The Count Basie Theatre has announced the availability of five Arts Impact scholarships available to Monmouth County high school seniors graduating in 2017. This year, the Basie will proudly offer five scholarships: the Moser-Taboada Arts Impact Scholarship, the Monmouth Medical Center – RWJBarnabas Health Arts Impact  Scholarship, the […]

The 2017 Count Basie Theatre Winter Gala was celebrated in style — as the inaugural “Little Steven’s Underground Garage” concert at the Basie! The idea was to transform the theater into a rock n’ roll club – much like the organization will do when it adds a second performance space as part of its $20 […]

  (JANUARY 9, 2017 – RED BANK) The nonprofit Count Basie Theatre finished 2016 as the top ticket-selling theater venue in New Jersey, in a tally released by Pollstar, the official publication of the live events and concert touring industry. The Basie sold nearly 225,000 tickets in 2016, enough to rank the historic landmark as […]

The ninth installment of legendary HOPE concert, curated and lead by our friend Bobby Bandiera, was a grand affair. Bandiera and Friends ripped through a nearly three-hour performance, raising over $200,000 for the Latino outreach program at Two River Theater and the FoodBank of Monmouth and Ocean Counties. (Photos by Amanda Stevens for the Count […]

(RED BANK – DEC. 2) The nonprofit Count Basie Theatre will be the beneficiary of two “5% Community Giving Day” events held at Whole Foods Market locations in Middletown, NJ and Marlboro, NJ on Thursday, December 8th. On that day, five-percent of these stores’ net proceeds will be donated to the historic Basie’s arts education […]

Citi Sponsorship Assists In Reaching Significant Fundraising Milestone For Venue’s Cultural Development Plan (November 14, 2016 – RED BANK) – The Count Basie Theatre, a world-class entertainment and education venue, announced today the launch of Little Steven’s Underground Garage At The Basie Presented By Citi. The series of performances will support the Theatre’s $20 million […]

  (NOVEMBER 21, 2016 – RED BANK) “Giving Tuesday,” founded in 2012 by New York City’s 92nd St. YMCA and the United Nations Foundation, was originally a “response to commercialism and consumerism” during the holiday season. It has since turned into an international day of giving. Next Tuesday, Nov. 29, the nonprofit Count Basie Theatre […]

  (OCTOBER 22, 2016 – RED BANK) Bobby Bandiera & Friends return to the Count Basie Theatre on Friday, December 23, 2016 for HOPE CONCERT 9, slated this year to benefit The Foodbank Of Monmouth and Ocean Counties and the Latino outreach programs at Red Bank’s Two River Theater. In addition, $10 from every ticket […]

Grant will go towards arts education and outreach programs to at-risk students throughout Monmouth County (SEPTEMBER 26, 2016 – RED BANK) The historic Count Basie Theatre has announced the receipt of a $7500 grant from The Provident Bank Foundation. “We are deeply grateful to The Provident Bank Foundation for its generous grant, and for the […]

  PERFORMING ARTS LANDMARK WILL CONTINUE TO UTILIZE THE “BASIE” NAME FOR THE NEXT 50 YEARS EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS AND HISTORY OF THE LEGENDARY MUSICIAN TO BE DEVELOPED AND HIGHLIGHTED AS PART OF THE FACILITY’S PLANNED EXPANSION (RED BANK – AUGUST 21, 2016) On the 112th anniversary of the birth of its legendary namesake, Red Bank’s […]

  (JULY 28, 2016 – RED BANK) Amidst its $20 million dollar expansion and improvement plan, the Count Basie Theatre has announced the merging of its Board of Trustees and Directors and the hiring of a new Vice President of Development to join the newly appointed executive leadership team. As a recognized 501(c)(3) organization, the […]

  The Count Basie Theatre’s 2016 summer gala starred Earth Wind and Fire, celebrating the theater’s 90th birthday and  honoring our supporters Denise and Mario Menello. (Photos by Amanda Stevens for the Count Basie Theatre)

For the first time ever, the Count Basie Theatre played host to TWO Hope Concerts in one night. Dubbed “Hope… And Even More Hope,” the concerts raised nearly half a million dollars for Mary’s Place By The Sea, 180 Turning Lives Around and the Visiting Nurse Association Health Group. The concerts took place on the […]

    (DECEMBER 9, 2015 – RED BANK) Capitalizing on the belief that a strong community is forged by strong partnerships, the Count Basie Theatre next week will conclude its heralded “Arts For All” project with Red Bank’s Middle School. “Arts For All” is an innovative, 12-week program that provides various forms of arts instruction […]