By Page H. Gifford
Correspondent
Award-winning singer, songwriter, and producer Steve Bassett will perform at Carysbrook Performing Arts Center on March 25 at 7 p.m. Dubbed by some as “the soul man,” Bassett lived through and performed the original R&B and jazz back in the ‘60s, ‘70s, and beyond. Much of the music he and the band will perform is his original work. Listening to him, one is reminded of legends and songs like Quincey Jones’ In The Heat Of The Night, Credence Clearwater Revival’s Proud Mary, or even ZZ Top’s Sharp Dressed Man. Bassett seamlessly blends R&B, jazz, and gospel, adding his edgy style for a unique musical experience.
Bassett became addicted to music at a young age and began playing the piano at 12.
“I grew up with music all around me. It came naturally to me,” he said. “For 60 years I’ve been playing music.” His native state of Virginia and its people are at the heart and soul of his songs. In the late ‘70s, Bassett collaborated with Robbin Thompson on a single titled Sweet Virginia Breeze during a rehearsal for their concert at Virginia Commonwealth University. The first studio recording of the song was on their album Together in 1978 and became popular on the radio. In 2015, by a vote of 39-0, Sweet Virginia Breeze was designated the official popular state song of Virginia along with Our Great Virginia as the official traditional state song.
The upbeat jazzy R&B isn’t the only facet of Bassett’s music that makes an impact. Like Bassett, his lyrics reflect a smooth and easy down-home flavor with an ear to the simple things in life, such as a sweet Virginia breeze or the complexities of relationships gone sour in Poor Ol’ Me. This reflects Bassett’s lifetime moments that he draws on for inspiration.
“I’ve had a lot of adventures,” he said, traveling throughout the U.S. and soaking up the life experiences in his surroundings at any given moment. For tickets, visit https://carysbrook.org/.
