Count Basie

Born William James Basie, the future "Count" of jazz emerged from Red Bank, New Jersey, not exactly a hotbed of rabbinical scholarship. His parents were certainly not Jewish, and neither was he, opting instead for a different kind of spiritual devotion: the blues and swing.

Basie's contributions to American music, however, are undeniably kvelly. His minimalist piano style and the swinging power of his big band defined an era, influencing generations of musicians. If there's an honorary K-score for making the world a groovier place, Basie certainly earned it.

While his melodies might make you tap your foot like you're at a simcha, any connection to the Chosen People is purely coincidental. His "Jumpin' at the Woodside" was more about dancing than davening. Nevertheless, his legacy ensures his music continues to bring joy, which, in its own way, is a kind of nachas for all.