A Tribute to Kevin Mahogany featuring David Basse with the Dave Stryker Trio and special guest Lisa Henry
Part of the Folly Jazz Series
David Basse’s warm inviting voice draws listeners into the world of jazz. With several recordings to his credit, his productions feature artists who attest to the depth of Basse’s music, Larry Bunker, Bill Henderson, Oleta Adams, as well as renowned lyricist Arthur Hamilton.
The distinctive warmth of his voice helped Basse establish a lasting professional relationship with Mike Melvoin, former President of NARAS. Melvoin was selected to accompany Basse for the vocalist’s Los Angeles debut, marking the start of a collaboration that spanned nearly twenty years and yielded several acclaimed recordings, including two Basse-produced projects featuring Melvoin and saxophonist Phil Woods. Notably, “It’s Always You” resulted in a Grammy nomination for Melvoin in the jazz solo category in 2004.
“All performers revere the kind of reception Basse received one recent Saturday night, but they don’t all seek it as pointedly as he does. “I consider myself an artist, and the picture I paint is a room full of happy people,” says Basse. “I want people to be involved. I really strive to have everyone in the room included.” Zan Stewart, Los Angeles Times
On September 10th, 2001, renowned saxophonist Bobby Watson was en route to Italy, he graciously stopped by to record what became the album “Old Friends, New Point,” alongside Basse and his fine ensemble at KC’s “New Point Grille.” As the Musical Director of Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers and with his band Horizon, Bobby received international recognition, most notably his tour of China in autumn of 2025.
“With the soul of a bon vivant and the spirit of a hipster . . . Basse scats with insouciance, reels you into ballads with a raconteur’s charm.” George Kansler, Hot House – New York
Saxophonist Tivon Pennicott & pianist Sullivan Fortner joined forces with Basse for a sold out performance at Kansas City’s Folly Theater during SPOTLIGHT: Charlie Parker in August of 2017.
“The Voice of Kansas City” John Hughes, The Kansas City Times
Basse speaks to the music, through the music, with an easy style and a genuine love of the art. He draws deeply from personal experience, his interviews are often full of mutual respect, and his genuine abilities to gracefully navigate the listener through recordings of all styles are, “like the movements of a symphony.”
David Basse is the recipient of the 2018 Bobby Watson Jazz Journalism Scholarship at The University of Missouri, Kansas City.