Biography
Frank Basile is one of New York’s busiest and most in-demand baritone saxophonists. Since moving to New York in 2001, Basile has been heard with The Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, The Dizzy Gillespie All Star Big Band, The Jimmy Heath Big Band, The Dave Holland Big Band, The Joe Lovano Nonet, Michael Bublé, The Christian McBride Big Band, Pablo Mayor’s Folklore Urbano, The Richie Vitale Quintet, The Chris Byars Octet, The Bob Mintzer Big Band, The Jon Faddis Jazz Orchestra, Dennis Mackrell's Manhattan Symphony Jazz Orchestra, and The Jason Lindner Ensemble, among others.
Born in Illinois in 1978 and raised in Nebraska, Frank Basile began his musical studies in grade school. After four years on clarinet and alto saxophone, he made a permanent switch to the baritone saxophone. Once in high school, Basile’s interest in jazz began to grow and, with the help and encouragement of his parents, he sought out further instruction on the ins and outs of this great music. Basile was soon playing in numerous big bands and combos throughout the Omaha area. His senior year in high school, he won the Nebraska Jazz Orchestra’s first annual Young Artist Competition. Basile decided to continue studying music in college, and he enrolled at the University of North Texas. While at UNT, Basile played in the world-renowned One O’clock Lab Band for six consecutive semesters. In the 1999-2000 school year, Basile was named UNT’s Outstanding Undergraduate Student in Jazz Studies. Basile was also a recipient of a Downbeat Student Music Award in 2001 in the Jazz Instrumentalist category.
After graduating with honors and a bachelor’s degree in Jazz Studies from UNT, Basile moved to New York in the summer of 2001 as a selected member of the first Jazz Studies program at the Juilliard School.
When not appearing as a sideman, Basile can be heard leading his own band, which performs regularly throughout the city.
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