JAMES BASSI

is a pianist and composer who has collaborated with many esteemed artists. Among the singers he has accompanied in concert are Judy Kaye and Ann Crumb in the world of music theatre, and Jessye Norman in the world of opera. James has worked extensively with soprano Deborah Voigt. He wrote, arranged and music directed a holiday concert for her, which they premiered together in New York City; highlights of this program were featured on an A & E television special. At New York Theatre Workshop, he and Ms. Voigt performed an all-Broadway concert which received praise in Opera News magazine.

At Lincoln Center Theater, Mr. Bassi was music director for Twelve Dreams, written and directed by James Lapine. He was associate music director for the hit Off-Broadway revival of The Pirates of Penzance. He music directed the Asian premiere of Chicago for the 2004 Macau International Music Festival in China. He was orchestrator, music director and pianist for the world-premiere recording of Comden and Green's Billion Dollar Baby, featuring Kristin Chenoweth. He also has numerous regional theatre credits.

Mr. Bassi's compositions, including vocal, choral, orchestral, chamber and theatre works, have been performed at Carnegie Hall, Avery Fisher Hall, Merkin Concert Hall, and other major venues. He received a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts as composer-in-residence with the Western Wind Vocal Ensemble. His music publisher is Oxford University Press.