Count as the leader of a big band (5)
I believe the answer is:
basie
'count' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
'as the leader of a big band' is the wordplay.
I cannot really understand how this works, but
'as' is within the answer.
'leader' could be 'e' (I've seen this in other clues) and 'e' is found in the answer.
The remaining letters 'bi' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't see.
This explanation may well be incorrect...
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for basie that I've seen before include "Count ___ , US jazz pianist, d. 1984" , "Jazz musician" , "Bandleader Count" , "Band leader" , "jazz great" .)