Part 1 - 27th July, 2006

Vera:      What is your date and place of birth?

Frank:     May 14, 1978 - Champaign, Illinois.

Vera:      Where did you grow up?

Frank:     Spent some time in Illinois and Virginia, but did most of my growing-up
               in Omaha, Nebraska.

Vera:      Where do you currently call “Home”?

Frank:     Brooklyn, New York.

Vera:      When did you start learning to play the saxophone?

Frank:     I started on the alto saxophone in 6th grade after a year of playing
               clarinet.

Vera:      When did you decide to concentrate on playing the baritone
               saxophone?

Frank:     I made my permanent switch to baritone saxophone in 8th grade.

Vera:      Presumably you can also play the soprano, alto and tenor saxophones
               too?

Frank:     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.

Vera:      Do you play any other instruments and if so to what standard?

Frank:     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.

Vera:      What inspired you to become a professional musician? Was there a
               defining moment which made you choose to become a professional sax
               player?

Frank:     (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 in music 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 ...

Vera:      What is your academic training and professional background?

Frank:     I have a bachelors degree in Jazz Studies from the University of North
               Texas.
 

Vera:     Who has been your greatest influence or inspiration?

Frank:    There are many, but I'd say Pepper Adams has been my number one
              influence and inspiration.

Vera:     If you could play with any band or artist who would that be and why?
              Or have you already done that in your career?

Frank:    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.
 

Vera:    If you could play any venue in the world where would that be and why?

Frank:   I'd have to say the Village Vanguard, where I've had the honor of
             performing with 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.

Vera:    What’s your 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?

Frank:   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?
 

Vera:    When did you join Michael’s band and how did that come about – did you
             have to go through an audition process?

Frank:   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 recommendation of guys I
             already knew on the band.

Vera:    Did you know any of the other guys in the band before you joined?

Frank:   Yes. I knew Rob Wilkerson, Mark Small, Craig Polasko, Jumaane Smith,
             Justin Ray, and Rob Perkins.

Vera:    Have you written any of the arrangements for the concert setlist?

Frank:   I transcribed and adapted "Doggin' Around," (the instrumental in the
             set). It was originally written by Herschel Evans for the old Count Basie
             band.

Vera:    For you on baritone sax, which is technically the most difficult song of
             Michael’s to play?

Frank:   As far as the songs in Michael's set, I guess I'd have to say "Smile."
 

Frank:   That's tough. I guess by trying not to go into auto pilot, and being
             aware of what's going on around me.

Vera:    What is a typical day in the life of Frank Basile like?

             a) on tour with Michael; and

             b) when you’re not touring?

Frank:   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.
 

Vera:    Do you carry your saxophone with you on tour or is it packed off to the
             next venue with the rest of the gear?

Frank:   I take it with me.
 

Vera:    Has anything ever happened to your saxophone in transit?

Frank:   Yes. Long story short, I was forced to gate check it coming home from
             Portland Oregon. Needless to say, it got damaged.
 

Vera:    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?

Frank:   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.