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John Basile

Jazz Guitarist and Media Composer

About Me

About John Basile...

John Basile is an accomplished jazz guitarist and composer known for his soulful melodic playing, sophisticated harmonic sense, and deep conversational approach to improvisation. Born and raised in Boston John attended Berklee College and graduated from the New England Conservatory of Music. He honed his skills studying with some of the great jazz guitarists of the era including Jim Hall, Barry Galbraith, Jack Wilkins, and Chuck Wayne. Moving to NYC in 1985 John has performed and recorded in a wide variety of formats both as a sideman and a leader. As an accompanist he has worked with Peggy Lee, Sylvia Sims, Rosemary Clooney and Tony Bennett as well as live and recorded performances with contemporary instrumentalists George Mraz, Michael Becker, John Abercrombie, Tom Harrell, Joey Baron, and Red Mitchell to name just a few. Basile has released 14 highly acclaimed solo releases showcasing his prowess as both a composer and player. His latest release is “Heatin' Up” an eclectic trio outing featuring David Fink and Carmen Intorre Jr. Musically John's guitar style utilizes a finger-style technique that approaches the guitar like a piano, comping chord fragments and playing melodies simultaneously. He demonstrates a conversational approach to improvising by weaving sophisticated single lines above a sparse harmonic landscape - all with a deeply swinging approach. In addition to his performing and recording career John is a dedicated educator sharing his expertise with aspiring students both privately and in workshops and master classes in there US and in Europe. In 2019 John created Springtime Productions composing and producing cues for film and television and all media. In addition to musical duties John is also an accomplished professional boxing judge having worked world championship bouts in the US, Russia, Mexico , and Australia and Canada. Whether it's crafting intricate jazz lines, weaving soulful blues melodies John Basile's playing resonates with depth, emotion, and unmatched musicality.

He can be reached at : [email protected]

DISCOGRAPHY

- Very Early (Seabreeze 2024) w/ Eddie Gomez

- Quiet Passage (ProJazz 627) w/ Tom Harrel, Joey Barron, George Mraz.

- Sunnyside Up (ProJazz 641) w/ Terry Clarke, Paul Socolow, Tom Harrell, Byron Olsen.

- John Basile/Brad Terry Duo (Musicmasters 51244A)

- For All Time (Philology 214W103-2) w/ David Finck, Peter Grant.

- Frankly Speaking: A Jazz Portrait of Sinatra (King Record - Japan) w/ Michael Brecker, John Abercrombie, Grady Tate.

- The Desmond Project (Chesky 165)

- It Was A Very Good Year (Underhill Jazz 001)

- Animations (UnderhillJazz 002) w/ John Abercrombie.

- Time Will Reveal (Underhill Jazz 003) w/ David Finck, Clint de Ganon , and Joe Locke.

- No Apologies (Underhill Jazz 004) w/ Pat Bianchi , Carmen Intorre , Kevin Winard.

- Amplitudes (StringTime Jazz 002) - Solo duets.

- Silent Night (Stringtime Jazz)

- Satisfied ( Stringtime Jazz ) 2023 New Release