Guitar great LARI BASILIO Quartet performs in Seattle on Tuesday 2/24 and Wednesday 2/25 at DIMITRIOU'S JAZZ ALLEY!
Guitar great Lari Basilio Quartet at Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley in Seattle, WA!
Tuesday January 24 and Wednesday January 25, 2026
I had a chance to ask Lari a few questions below:
Eclectic Arts Media: Hi Lari! I am extremely blown away by the musicality of your songwriting, playing, and execution on the guitar. Your approach to your songs and your instrument is so tasteful. (I play guitar a bit myself) Where do you feel your musicality comes from with your music?
Lari Basilio: Hello! Thank you! I think that there are parts of the musicality that can be learned, but there is definitely a part of it that is inherent to the person, which can eventually become your musical personality, if you know how to access it. I have always been very interested in music and musical instruments since an early age. Over the years everything I did from playing guitar, organ, to writing my own tunes and listening to my guitar heroes, has helped me to shape my own voice in the instrument and work on my musicality. The process is endless and so is the search for new ways to express myself. There's always gonna be something new to play and feel through my guitar, and that's what I love about it!
EAM: With the upcoming shows at Dimitriou's Jazz Alley in Seattle, WA, what can the fans expect? (I believe this is your first time here - please correct me if I'm wrong).
Lari Basilio: Correct! That's my first time playing in Seattle, and we are super excited about these 2 shows at Jazz Alley! It will be amazing to finally connect in real life with my fans in Seattle and feel their energy. We will be playing tunes from my latest album "Redemption" and others from my previous albums as well. We will have a great time together!
EAM: With your guitar and some, if not most of your other equipment, you have your own signature models. What is your current list of signature gear and what do you look for when a company approaches you about making something to your specifications?
Lari Basilio: Currently I have my signature guitar, the Ibanez LB1, which is loaded with my signature pickups from Seymour Duncan. I also have my overdrive/distortion pedal, the Violet, from JHS Pedals. These 3 items by themselves are so true to myself as a player and are essential pieces of gear for the style of music I make. So these are things that I always look for when discussing a signature product. I won't do anything just to have a signature product. It will have to be something that I'll really play. All the time. These are super versatile and have been very inspiring pieces of gear in my daily life with my instrument.
EAM: With your degree in law, do you ever find it comes in handy when looking over music contracts (for recordings, tours, etc)?
Lari Basilio: Absolutely! It has helped me to expand my vision regarding business not only in music, but in life in general, learning how to negotiate, asking the right questions and making sure to protect what is mine by right.
EAM: What do you enjoy about the studio process and what do you enjoy about the live performance? Also, do you have a preference for one over the other?
Lari Basilio: I love both and I think one complements the other. Writing new tunes is one of my favorite things to do. I love to sit down, start a song not knowing how it's going to end. In that moment, it's only me, with my feelings and ideas. When it's time to play that song live, is where the cycle is completed. I can see how people relate and react to that song. This connection and exchange with the audience is definitely something special, and for me both things are essential parts of the journey of an artist.
Thank you Mark for this interview! See you at the show!
EAM: Thank you so much, Lari. Seattle is looking forward to your first visit to our beautiful city at Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley next week!
Purchase tickets: HERE! (opens in new window)
Best,
Mark Sugiyama
Eclectic Arts Media
Connect with Eclectic Arts Media: Social Media and Email Links
"Redemption" Music Video
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