Jim Basnight Bio 2017

 

Jim Basnight currently performs with his four-piece band and solo, or duo with multi-instrumentalist Mikel Rollins (sax/flute/harmonica/percussion) all around the NW in WA, OR, MT, WY, UT and ID, with occasional trips to NY, LA, Chicago, Memphis, Atlanta, Cleveland and the San Francisco Bay Area.

Jim has been working with the Jim Basnight Band at a pace of between 150-200 dates per year since 1997. Prior to that he fronted and composed with the Meyce (1975-77), the Moberlys (1978-89), various bands and recording projects (1989-93) and the Rockinghams (1993-97).

Basnight's released seven full length unique CD's, primarily comprised of his compositions 

"Sexteen" by the Moberlys

"Seattle-NY-LA" by Jim Basnight and the Moberlys

"Pop Top" by Jim Basnight

"The Jim Basnight Thing" by Jim Basnight

"Makin' Bacon" by the Rockinghams

"Recovery Room" by Jim Basnight

"Introducing Jim Basnight" by Jim Basnight

Jim has had full length album collections released of his material, pulled from these seven discs, either in CD or vinyl form in the USA, France, Italy and Japan, plus individual songs included on compilations in the USA, Canada, Japan, Australia, the UK, France, Sweden and Spain.

Jim has composed music for Films, TV and the acclaimed "Little Rock", a full scale rock musical production (originally produced in Seattle, with productions in Pittsburg, Minneapolis, Washington DC, Little Rock AR among others), based on the integration of Little Rock Central High (AR) in 1957-58.

Basnight has been hard at work since 2011 co-researching a biography and co-producing a documentary film, tribute show, museum exhibit and screen play, all based on the life story and musical legacy of blues master "Sonny Boy Williamson" (Alex "Rice" Miller 1913-65). Subjects interviewed for that project include Buddy Guy, BB King, Robert Plant, Marshall Chess and Charlie Musselwhite.

Jim's music spans blues, country, soul, punk, pop, folk and all styles of rock and roll. Among Jim's artistic favorites are Leonard "Lenny Bruce" Schneider, “Sonny Boy”, The Beatles, The Kinks, Robert "Bobby" Womack, James "Iggy Pop" Osterberg, Albert "Al" Green, John "Johnny Thunders" Genzale, Merle Haggard and James "Jimi" Hendrix.

Basnight has received reviews in numerous magazines, daily newspapers, weekly papers, web sites, blogs and podcasts (news clippings available upon request). He has appeared on radio and television and on bills with many famous musicians over the years including, the Ramones, the Police, Suzanne Vega, the Romantics, Billy Idol, the Smithereens, the Band and many others.

Jim’s also shared the stage with members of many famous acts such as Guns and Roses, James Addiction, Nirvana, REM, Pearl Jam and Madonna. Basnight’s produced or co-produced shows with acts as diverse as Quiet Riot, Charley Pride, Lou Rawls, Crystal Gayle, Ronnie Milsap, Duke Ellington Orchestra, Gordon Lightfoot and Firesign Theater.