The Band

Frank Basile played baritone saxophone with the Bublé band from February, 2005 to May, 2007.

Frank wrote the phenomenal arrangement of Count Basie's "Doggin' Around" for the band's instrumental break on the "It's Time" Tour which was played at each show when Michael introduced the band to the audience.

Thank you Frank, on behalf of all the fans of the Bublé band - each of the guys' incredible musicianship is finely showcased during this piece!

Frank has asked that you please visit his official website to read his biography.


Michael Bublé Recordings featuring Frank Basile


CD + DVDs

* dates in brackets are UK release dates

Caught In The Act    Michael Bublé ~ Caught In The Act (2006)*



Recordings by Frank Basile

CDs

Frank Basile Quintet ~ Thursday The 12th   Frank Basile Quintet ~ Thursday The 12th (2007)

Track listing:

        1. Lady Luck
        2. Rabp's Delight
        3. A Certain Smile
        4. You're Getting To Be A Habit With Me
        5. Thursday The 12th
        6. A December To Remember
        7. This Could Be The Start of Something Big

 


Other Artists' Recordings featuring Frank Basile

CD + DVDs

The New York Jazz Orchestra ~ The Sound of New York Jazz Underground (2004) (2CDs + DVD)

The New York Jazz Orchestra ~ The Sound of New York Jazz Underground

 

CDs

Pablo Mayor Folklore Urbano ~ Baile/Dance  Pablo Mayor Folklore Urbano ~ Baile/Dance (2005)


The New York Jazz Orchestra ~ The Sound of New York Jazz Underground (2004) (Deluxe Digipack 2CD Set - Limited Edition)

The New York Jazz Orchestra ~ The Sound of New York Jazz Underground  

 

DVDs

Peter Cincotti ~ Live in New York   Peter Cincotti ~ Live in New York (2005)



The New York Jazz Orchestra ~ The Sound of New York Jazz Underground (2004)

The New York Jazz Orchestra ~ The Sound of New York Jazz Underground



Articles featuring Frank Basile

 


Video clips featuring Frank Basile

 

Offical Website & MySpace URL:


Exclusive Interview for www.bubléband.com

Frank Basile kindly agreed to answer some interview questions via email in July, 2006 - thank you, Frank!


Via email - July, 2006

What is your date and place of birth?
May 14, 1978 Champaign, Illinois.

Where did you grow up?
Spent some time in Illinois and Virginia, but did most of my growing-up in Omaha, Nebraska.

Where do you currently call “Home”?
Brooklyn, New York.

When did you start learning to play the saxophone?
I started on the alto saxophone in 6th grade after a year of playing clarinet.

When did you decide to concentrate on playing the baritone saxophone?
I made my permanent switch to baritone saxophone in 8th grade.

Presumably you can also play the soprano, alto and tenor saxophones too?
As all the saxophones are fingered the same way, yes I can, but choose to play only baritone. I've made the decision to concentrate solely on baritone and to become as strong of a baritone player as I can.

Do you play any other instruments and if so to what standard?
I play clarinet, bass clarinet, and flute for practical purposes. There are many situations in which saxophonists are required to double on other woodwind instruments, so I try to at least keep up on those instruments at least enough to get the job done.

What inspired you to become a professional musician?
Was there a defining moment which made you choose to become a professional sax player?
(I'll answer the last 2 together) I don't think there's a specific moment that someone decides to become a professional musician. I guess as one's interest grows and one's desire to search and grow musically, it kind of chooses you. Different inspirations spark this interest and desire. Probably the first really big influence on me that really opened my ears and fed my desire to become a strong baritone player was while I was in high school, and I heard a recording of Ronnie Cuber with the Mingus Big Band. I had never heard a baritone saxophone sound so wonderful. And hearing that recording led me to seek out more recordings and soon I discovered Pepper Adams, Gary Smulyan, Harry Carney ...

What is your academic training and professional background?
I have a bachelors degree in Jazz Studies from the University of North Texas.

Who has been your greatest influence or inspiration?
There are many, but I'd say Pepper Adams has been my number one influence and inspiration.

If you could play with any band or artist who would that be and why? Or have you already done that in your career?
There are a lot throughout history such as Duke Ellington's band, Count Basie's band, and Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers. But perhaps topping the list for me would be the Thad Jones-Mel Lewis Jazz Orchestra, which is now known as the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra. I feel extremely fortunate to have subbed with them on occasion for the last two years.

If you could play any venue in the world where would that be and why?
I'd have to say the Village Vanguard, where I've had the honor of performing ith the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra. The Village Vanguard is a room in which virtually every major figure in jazz has played. It's been around since the 30's (I think) so there's so much history in that club. In addition to all that, it's a really good sounding room.

What’s the favourite place you’ve visited on tour with Michael and is there anywhere you would like to visit where the tour hasn’t reached yet?
Well, there have been so many great places, I don't know if I could pick a favorite. Every place has had it's own highlights and memories. As far as other places we haven't been, maybe South America, Africa, Japan?

When did you join Michael’s band and how did that come about – did you have to go through an audition process?
The first gig I did with Michael was the Letterman Show in February of 2005, and I started my first tour with him in May of 2005. There was no audition process. I got the gig through reccommendation of guys I already knew on the band.

Did you know any of the other guys in the band before you joined?
Yes. I knew Rob Wilkerson, Mark Small, Craig Polasko, Jumaane Smith, Justin Ray, and Rob Perkins.

Have you written any of the arrangements for the concert setlist?
I transcribed and adapted "Doggin' Around," (the instrumental in the set). It was originally written by Herschel Evans for the old Count Basie band.

For you on baritone sax, which is technically the most difficult song of Michael’s to play?
As far as the songs in Michael's set, I guess I'd have to say "Smile."

How do you manage to keep your performances fresh playing the same songs over and over, night after night?
That's tough. I guess by trying not to go into auto pilot, and being aware of what's going on around me.

What is a typical day in the life of Frank Basile like?
a) on tour with Michael; and
b) when you’re not touring?
Well, on tour with Michael we usually don't have to be up at any certain time, so I wake up at my leisure. Then I usually go out and explore whatever city we're in. I've been known to take long walks around the different cities. Then we usually have sound check around 5:00. After sound check, I hopefully get some practicing in and have some dinner. Then it's showtime.

When not touring, it can vary greatly. It's much easier for me to practice when at home as opposed to when on tour, so much of my time at home is spent practicing. Other than that, I go out to see music, hang out with friends, etc.

Do you carry your saxophone with you on tour or is it packed off to the next venue with the rest of the gear?
I take it with me.

Has anything ever happened to your saxophone in transit?
Yes. Long story short, I was forced to gate check it coming home from Portland Oregon. Needless to say, it got damaged.

Can you tell me some technical details about the saxophone you use on tour and how that might differ to the instrument you play at home?
After the incident mentioned above, I bought a less expensive saxophone to take on tour, so that if anything happens to it while traveling, while still being quite unfortunate, I wouldn't have to lose my head. However, I'm not quite pleased with the overall quality of this horn, so I'm currently looking to upgrade my back-up (travel) horn.

Which parts of the show do you play strictly according to written arrangements and which parts are improvised?
Well, unfortunately, the vast majority of the show is according to the written arrangements. However, whenever you see any of us stand up and solo, those parts are improvised.

What’s your favourite song that Michael sings during the shows?
I guess I'd say either "The More I See You" or "I've Got You Under My Skin",

What’s been your most moving or memorable experience touring with Michael?
Let's see. We all had an amazing "Thanksgiving" dinner in Padova, Italy last year. There have been quite a few great memories, though, I hate to single one out. We are all very close with each other and have a ball on the road.

What’s your favourite part of the concert?
I enjoy listening to my fellow band members' solo (and playing with them in general), and it's interesting to watch the audience react to Michael's charisma.

During the concert, do you play from sheet music or from memory?
Well, we've all played the show so many times by now, that we all have the whole show memorized.

You were selected for the inaugural Juilliard Jazz Orchestra in 2001 and were one of only 18 talented musicians selected for that honour. How did you feel when you first heard the news you had been selected?
I was extremely excited, but unfortunately, it didn't turn out to be what I had hoped, and I left that program after one semester.

You’ve played with Peter Cincotti and appear in his music video for “St. Louis Blues” filmed on the streets of New York City. How did you find that experience and did you enjoy making the video?
It was an interesting experience. Recording is usually challenging, and added to that challenge in this case were extra things such as cameras, lights, actors, etc, that under normal circumstances you don't have to take into consideration. It was fun, though.

You’re the leader of your own Quintet and play gigs around New York together. How did the group get together?
Well, I had a concept for the group in mind. And I asked musicians that I enjoy playing with and being with to play. It's my hope that over time, the group will develop it's own identity more and more.

Do you have any plans to record your own solo album and will you be featuring on any other albums in the near future?
My quintet recorded an album last September and I'm currently in the process of getting it out. Very soon, hopefully.

Your surname, Basile, sounds Italian? Could you tell the fans a bit about your family origins?
The name is Sicilian. The other heritage in my family includes German and Polish.

Do you have any brothers and sisters and are any of them musicians?
One older sister. She gets around on guitar a bit.

Do you speak any languages other than English?
Unfortunately, no. I could probably barely get by in Spanish.

If you weren’t a musician what do you think you would most likely be doing as a career? And what would your ideal job be – or is what you’re doing at the moment your ideal job?
I have no idea, since I really don't think of doing anything other than music. It's not a very easy lifestyle, but if you're truly into it, the joy and satisfaction it gives, makes up for other things.

Along with the other members of the Bublé band you recently played together as “The Boathouse All-Stars” at The Rex in Toronto. Whose idea or decision was it to create “The Boathouse All-Stars” and are there any Boathouse All-Stars gigs lined up for the future?
I think it was kind of a group decision. I had some arrangements for the instrumentation of our group, we had a day off in my hometown, and we all had been looking for an excuse to play together outside of the Bublé show, so we hooked up the first Boathouse All-Stars gig in Omaha. I don't know of any Boathouse All-Stars gigs in the future, but I know we'd all love to do more!

Do the guys in the band have any nicknames for you?
F-man.

What sort of music do you enjoy listening to yourself?
Jazz and Classical.

Outside of music, what are your hobbies and interests?
I like watching baseball. I used to play baseball and golf.

Fans travel from all over the world to see Michael, you and the rest of the guys perform live – by the same token, is there an act or artist you would travel theworld over to see?
Well, most of my favorite artists either live in New York or perform in New York, so fortunately, I really don't have to think about traveling to see them.

Are you working on any solo or group projects which you could tell us about?
Nothing much outside of my quintet. But we are all busy freelance musicians who get called to do a wide array of different things all the time.

What do you consider to be your proudest achievement to date?
There are many, many achievements I'm proud of. I don't necessarily want to list them, but as long as I'm bettering myself and making honest music, I think I'm on the right track.

What are your thoughts and feelings to the fact that fans are coming to see and appreciate the band as much as they are coming to see Michael?
I'm glad the band doesn't go unnoticed.

Fans will have noticed that you haven’t been touring with Michael for the final US leg of the “It’s Time” tour these last couple of months but have instead been concentrating on playing with the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra and touring Europe with the Dizzy Gillespie Alumni Big Band:
a) How have you found this experience?
It's an honor. Very gratifying and challenging.

b) Is it challenging working with a greater number of musicians at one time whose style you may not be as familiar with as say the guys in the Bublé band?
Well, the challenge doesn't lie in the style of the music or the size of the group, as stylistically, these big bands you've mentioned are exactly what I feel most at home playing (and what I'm most familiar with), and I've been playing with big bands (of this size) for many years. The challenge comes from other things such as sharing the stage with veteran masters of jazz, executing music with the right nuance, trying to solo to my best capacity, etc.

Does this mark your permanent departure from the Bublé band and, if not, when can we expect to see you back with the band?
As far as I know that's yet to be determined. We'll just have to wait and see if I get the call.

Is there a possibility that you may play with Michael again at his rescheduled dates for Roanoke, VA on August 17th[, 2007] and Albuquerque, NM on October 3rd[, 2007]?
Like I say, it's yet to be determined.

And finally, do you have a message for your fans?
I greatly apperciate all your interest and support! Many thanks!