Harry Babasin was one of the most creative and innovative jazz bassist/producers of all time. His musical contributions include the style of jazz known as the Bossa Nova, recording with the Laurindo Almeida Quartet, a group he formed, on Pacific Jazz in 1953; being the first bassist to play pizzicato jazz cello, pioneering the instrument with the Dodo Marmarosa Trio on DIAL Records in 1947; forming one of the first musician produced record labels, Nocturne Records, with his dear friend and drummer/business partner, Roy Harte; and being one of the only bassists of his time to lead his own group, Harry Babasin and the Jazzpickers, which he fronted on his cello. Harry was born on March 19, 1921 in Dallas, Texas, the son of an Armenian immigrant dentist and a Texas school teacher. He went to North Texas State University and contributed to that school's excellent reputation for jazz, along with his colleagues, Jimmy Giuffre, Herb Ellis, Gene Roland and Tommy Reeves.
Harry played and recorded with a Who's Who of the jazz aristocracy of the day. Louis Armstrong, Benny Goodman, Charlie Parker, Chet Baker, Lionel Hampton, Peggy Lee, Wardell Gray, Dexter Gordon, Charlie Barnet, Woody Herman, Stan Getz, Zoot Sims - the list goes on and on and on...
His story is legendary - he was a staunch defender of the west coast jazz movement as well as one the artform's most prolific definers.
My name is Von Babasin and I have been accepted for fiscal sponsorship from the New York Foundation for the Arts to produce a documentary film about my father, Harry Babasin, and west coast jazz. I will now be working under the umbrella of their non-profit to raise funds for the production.
NYFA Artist Von Babasin
The film will present an overview of west coast jazz leading up to the end of WWII, when so many musicians came to Hollywood to play and record in the film and recording industries. My father was a bassist and pioneer pizzicato jazz cellist who helped to define the west coast jazz movement and I will highlight his specific contributions to the artform.
If you would like to donate to this film project, you can -
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Please find enclosed a contribution for the New York Foundation for the Arts in the amount of $________ . It is my wish that this contribution will be used to support "Harry Babasin's Jazz In Hollywood" , a project that you sponsor.
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"Harry Babasin's 'Jazz In Hollywood'" is a sponsored project of The New York Foundation for The Arts (NYFA). NYFA is a 501(c)(3), tax exempt organization founded in 1971 to work with the arts community to develop and facilitate programs in all disciplines. NYFA will receive grants on behalf of "Harry Babasin's 'Jazz In Hollywood'", ensure the use of grant funds in accordance with the grant agreements, and will provide program or financial reports as required.
