John Basile

   When asked about his most important influences, the first two names he mentions are not other guitar players; Frank Sinatra heads the list and then pianist Bill Evans. Perhaps this explains why John Basile is one of a select group of jazz instrumentalists who doesn’t sound like everyone else.  

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    John Basile was born in the Boston area and began playing in local show bands and organ groups at an early age. He attended Berklee College of Music and graduated from the New England Conservatory of Music.

    Moving to NYC in 1980 John has performed and recorded in a wide variety of formats both as a leader and a sideman. As an accompanist he has worked with Peggy Lee, Sylvia Syms, Rosemary Clooney, Mark Murphy, and Tony Bennett as well as live performances with contemporary instrumentalists George Mraz , Tom Harrell, John Abercrombie, and Red Mitchell to name just a few.

   Musically John's guitar style utilizes a finger-style technique that approaches the guitar like a piano. For John the challenge of comping chord fragments and playing melodies simultaneously provides a backdrop for a more open style of playing and improvising.

   In addition to a varied musical menu of live and studio recordings, John entered the field of medical imaging as an MRI technologist and administrative director of a large multi specialty medical group in the NY area. 

   John is also a professional boxing judge with the NYS Athletic Commission officiating championship fights in the USA , Mexico , Russia , and Australia.

   Currently John is working with Stringtime Productions composing media cues for television and films. 

 

 He can be reached at : jbasile@johnbasile.net - www.johnbasile.net

 

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