ABOUT HARRY BASSETT
A Musical Journey (Updated Sept 2021)
Harry found his love for music at just three years of age after seeing the Bournemouth Carnival Band, who dress as Spiderman. Little did he know that, after a year of following them obsessively, they would make him an honorary member. Harry began playing bugle in the band at age seven, and quickly transitioned to cornet, taking regular lessons at school.
For a number of years, he played with the Spidermen, attending all their performances and quickly realised he wanted to make more of his music. At age eleven, Harry joined Ferndown Concert Brass (FCB) band on 2nd cornet. Not being able to read music at this point, he wanted to see what life was like as a percussionist, so transitioned to auxiliary percussionist for FCB. After a further year or so, Harry had worked hard to develop his musical skills and returned to the back row, this time playing Repiano cornet.
At the age of thirteen, Harry was invited to join the Dorset Youth Jazz Orchestra (DYJO). This led him to perform a solo in the famous Rocky theme ‘Gonna Fly now’ at the Royal Albert Hall, alongside 500 other young musicians. His time with DYJO was short but certainly memorable.
In 2014, Harry joined a street band called Gugge 2000, starting on 2nd trumpet and progressing through the ranks to solo trumpet in 2015. By this point Harry had formed a number of connections within the local music scene and had been appointed as Principle Trumpet of Christchurch & District Band where he continues to play as soloist for a number of prestigious events including: Town twinning tours abroad, remembrance services and charity concerts.
At sixteen, Harry took on his first paid position in James Emmett’s Ragtime Revellers, a dixieland jazz group, as well as joining the Decatonics as dep trumpet player. Playing in these groups allowed Harry to take on a number of musical challenges and develop his abilities across very different styles.
Harry went onto college in 2015, and achieved a BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Popular Music. Again, he found himself facing new challenges by taking up keyboards to help him on his course and beyond.
Immediately after leaving college Harry was invited back to his school, Victoria Education Centre, to work as a music technician and resonance board leader, working with young people aged 3-19 through the use of technologies including: iPads, Soundbeam and Eyegaze. He worked here in varied roles across the creative arts, not only in music, but also working alongside drama specialists to integrate music into sensory drama sessions, whether this be composing songs tailored to a particular theme/storyline or working as a support actor.
In 2018, Harry joined the Decatonics as full time trumpet player, in addition to establishing himself as a freelance musician. He now offers his services as a trumpet player, brass tutor and workshop facilitator.
Since becoming a freelancer, Harry has worked with many artists in studios and on shows, as well as supporting well-known names such as: Doreen Shaffer, the Skatalites and the Dualers.
His biggest achievement to date is being appointed as Musical Director of Extraordinary Bodies Young Artist to lead the development of musical elements for their shows, which are toured around the UK, through the support of Extraordinary Bodies and Cirque Bijou.
Now living in London, Harry is continuing to develop his skills both as a player and director. He is very proud to have been awarded a scholarship to study at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music & Dance, where he is building the next steps of his musical career.
Should you wish for more information about Harry’s work, then please do get in touch. All enquiries are welcomed!