INTRODUCING: David Basse

"... a captivating singer who genuinely delights in a room full of happy people who are enjoying his danceable brand of jazz." - Zan Stewart/LA Times

When the producers of A&E’s controversial television series "City Confidential" needed to explore the Kansas City Jazz scene for a new production, they contacted and filmed veteran musician David Basse.

For the past twenty years, Basse has been at the forefront of the music scene in this legendary jazz capitol. David Basse carries on a tradition started many years ago by icons Charlie Parker, Count Basie and Jay McShann. he has played his special kind of Kansas City jazz at concerts, clubs and private parties throughout the world.

David Basse's City Light Orchestra has long been known as Kansas City's premier swingin' jazz ensemble. Since its inception in 1982, bandleader/songwriter, David Basse's deep resonant voice has been the signature of the Orchestra's sound.

Basse was featured at "Wolf Trap and All That Jazz," and his band was part of the 1997 Inaugural Gala for President Bill Clinton. The title song of David’s recording "Strike When Your Iron Is Hot" (a rousing blues anthem written by Michael Melvoin and Milo Adamo) released on October 22, 2000, was used by the Gore campaign and the Kansas City Chiefs to incite crowds.

David Basse has excelled on the concert stage, performing at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, Jazz Aspen-Snowmass, The Kansas City Blues & Jazz Festival, Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts, Verizon-Playboy Jazz Series, Telluride and Taos Jazz Festivals and the Sacramento Jazz Jubilee.

Internationally, Basse has represented Kansas City at such diverse venues as Harrod’s in London, Palacio De Congressi in Lugano, Switzerland and by invitation, at the prestigious Peninsula Hotel in Hong Kong. David and the band were honored by the request to then return to Hong Kong to perform at the "Handover" of Hong Kong to the Chinese in a command performance.

In addition to City Confidential expose' on saxophonist Steve Harvey, Basse appeared on Dr. Billy Taylor's CBS Sunday Morning, Weekend: All things Considered with Scott Simon and Barbeque America with Rick Brown on PBS.