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 Bill Evans.
Perhaps this explains why John Basile is one of a select group of jazz instrumentalists who doesn’t sound like everyone else. He particularly likes to play in the duo and trio formats to exploit the intimacy those settings present for both player and listener.
Musically, his guitar style utilizes a finger-style technique that approaches the guitar like a piano. For John, the challenge of comping harmonic chord fragments and playing melodies simultaneously provides a backdrop for a more open style of playing and improvising.
His labels, Underhill Jazz and now StringTime Jazz, have produced five innovative and critically distinguished releases: "Amplitudes" - solo guitar improvisations; "No Apologies" - featuring Pat Bianchi on organ and Carmen Intorre on drums for a soulful organ trio with a modern approach to unique standards; "Time Will Reveal" - featuring Joe Locke on vibes and Bassist David Finck showcasing a modern jazz guitar approach to pop tunes; "Animations" – with John Ambercrombie in duo with Basile exploring the essence of string improvisations of standards and originals; and "It Was A Very Good Year" – an eclectic exploration of jazz, folk, and pop tunes featuring two trios.
Summer 2015 saw the release of "Penny Lane" a jazz guitar collection of Beatles tunes on StringTime Jazz and John's latest is a collection of eclectic originals entitled "Outside/In" available now on iTunes and CD Baby.
Guitar icon Jim Hall said “John Basile’s playing has the essence of great jazz guitar: beautiful tone, marvelous swing, terrific technique, and excellent phrasing.
You can’t ask for more!” Legendary guitarist, John Abercrombie when referring to John's "No Apologies" organ trio project exclaimed, “John’s new CD has one of the most appropriate titles! Great Playing, Great Tunes, Great Sound…"No Apologies" needed!”
John Basile is a formidable, sought after educator and clinician, offering a variety of educational outreach programs to colleges and universities here and around the world.
He also works in the field of radiology and manages a large Medical Group in the NY area and is professional boxing judge with the NYS Athletic Commision. John has judged championship fights at Madison Square Garden, the Barclay center in NY, and in Mexico.
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 Records - Japan) w/ Michael Brecker, John Abercrombie, Grady Tate.
- The Desmond Project (Chesky 165) A tribute to the music and legacy of saxophonist Paul Desmond.
- It Was A Very Good Year (UnderhillJazz 001) Trios.
- Animations (UnderhillJazz 002) w/ John Abercrombie. Jazz Guitar Duets.
- Time Will Reveal (UnderhillJazz 003) w/ David Finck, Clint de Ganon , Joe Locke, Roger Squitero.
- No Apologies (Stringtime Jazz 001) w/ Pat Bianchi , Carmen Intorre.
- Amplitudes (Stringtime Jazz 002) Solo Guitar Conversations.
- Undercover (Stringtime Jazz 003) Pop/Jazz from the 80's.
- Penny Lane (Stringtime Jazz 004) A jazz guitar Beatles collection.
- Outside/In (Stringtime Jazz 005) An eclectic collection of original compositions.
The album this posting was launched in United States in 2015.
TRACK LIST:
01. Eleanor rigby;02. A fool on the hill;03. Penny lane;04. And I love her;05. A day in the life;06. While my guitar gently weeps;07. Here, there and everywhere;08. I want to hold your hand;09. Can't buy me love;10. Norwegian wood;11. In my life;
Links:
