James Bassi

James Bassi (Music Director) A Little Night Music is James’ fourth production at WPPAC. Here, he was Musical Director for Ragtime, How to Succeed… and Camelot. His New York credits include Twelve Dreams (Lincoln Center Theater), and I and Albert (York Theatre). He was assistant conductor for the Off-Broadway revival of The Pirates of Penzance. He music directed the Asian premiere of Chicago for the International Music Festival in Macau, China. Regional credits include The Mystery Of  Edwin Drood (River Rep), Side by Side by Sondheim, Hollywood/Ukraine, As Thousands Cheer (New Harmony Theatre). James was orchestrator, music director and pianist for the world premiere cast album of the Comden and Green musical Billion Dollar Baby, starring Kristin Chenoweth and supervised by Comden and Green. He has performed in concerts with Judy Kaye, Jessye Norman and Ute Lemper. He has played numerous concerts with Deborah Voigt and written and arranged much material for her. James is also a prolific composer whose works have been performed at Carnegie Hall, Avery Fisher Hall, and other major venues. His composition Petrarch Dances was commissioned and premiered by Orchestra of St. Luke’s. His works have been performed by Judy Collins, Kristin Chenoweth, and Frederica Von Stade. James wrote the incidental music for David Brendan Hopes’ play Edward the King, produced by GAYFEST NYC in 2008.  James has received composition grants from NEA, Meet-the-Composer, and New York Foundation for the Arts. His music publisher is Oxford University Press.