Frank Basile quickly rose to be one of New York’s most sought-after baritone saxophonists. Basile, who moved to New York in 2001 has been heard with The Vanguard Jazz Orchestra and The Dizzy Gillespie All Star Big Band. He also performed with The Jimmy Heath Big Band and The Dave Holland Big Band. Frank Basile was born in Illinois in 1978, and grew up in Nebraska. He began his musical education in grade school. After four years playing clarinet and the alto saxophone for four years, Frank made the permanent switch to the baritone. Basile began to be interested in jazz while in high school. His parents encouraged him to seek out additional instruction in this wonderful music. Basile soon began playing in many big bands and combos around the Omaha area. He won the Nebraska Jazz Orchestra’s inaugural Young Artist Competition in his senior year of high school. Basile chose to study music further in college and enrolled at University of North Texas. Basile was a member of the world-famous One O’clock Lab Band during six consecutive semesters at UNT. Basile was the Outstanding Undergraduate Jazz Studies Student at UNT in 1999-2000. Basile received a Downbeat Student Music Award 2001 in the Jazz Instrumentalist Category. Basile graduated from UNT with high honors and a bachelor’s in Jazz Studies. He then moved to New York as a member of the Juilliard School’s first Jazz Studies program. Basile is often heard performing with his quintet. from http://www.frankbasilemusic.com
