Lillibabs Music

Kew Gardens, NY

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Travels up to 120 miles

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Solo Vocal and Keys

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Willa Bassen Trio

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Overview

With decades of experience playing solo and in groups for private parties and public events, I (and/or my band) can provide music for any occasion, with a vast repertoire of all styles of popular music, including top 40, jazz, Motown, R&B, standards, classic rock, latin, and disco. As a solo performer, I play my keyboards (as opposed to using tracks), with a drum box (if requested), and sing. Or, my band can range from a duo to 10 performers, depending on the budget and size of the party. Most importantly, I know that the key to a successful event is for everyone, including myself, to have a great time.


Reviews

1 review

Small thumbnail image for reviewer Cheryl D.

Cheryl D.

May 9, 2023
Verified review

Simply the BEST!!!

We really and truly enjoyed our party with Lillibabs Music! In fact, her playing and singing made the event! We held an 80th Birthday gathering for my mom who is a music lover. Before the event, Lillibabs was excellent at communicating with me, the party planner, to go over the desires for the night, including a whole list of songs and genres we would like to play and sing along with! She was thorough, professional and generous: even learning an Irish traditional song that is a family favorite! Lillibabs showed up on time and the set up was a dream! She played during our dinner at home and right after we all enjoyed listening, singing and dancing together in the living room as she played a medley our of Mom ( and Dad's) favorite songs. It really made the party - there was even a conga line ! Lillibabs was flexible, friendly and good-spirited. We had a fantastic time and it made my Mom's 80's birthday a night we will never forget! I am so happy I found Lillibabs Music on Gig Salad! You will be happy too if you hire her- I certainly was!!!!

Hired as: Singing Pianist

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Lillibabs Music

Dear Cheryl,
Thanks so much for including me in your celebration. It was an absolute pleasure to play for your family: you were respectful, kind, thoughtful, and so much fun! I hope we have the chance to work together at another happy occasion somewhere down the road.

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Booking information

Price range: Contact for rates

Languages: English

Gig length: 60 - 300 minutes

Unions: AFM

What to expect

My band and I will show up on time, dressed appropriately, with all the gear necessary to do the job. We will respectfully interact with our clients and audience to make sure that everyone, including ourselves, is always having a good time.

About

I have, in the course of my multi-faceted career in the arts, worked professionally as a composer, songwriter, vocalist, musician, engineer and producer. I have worked with such luminaries as Harry Connick, Jr., Keith Richards (of the Rolling Stones), and jazz great Herbie Mann. I wrote the title song for the original movie “Hairspray” as well as music and songs for the Olympics, ABC-TV sports and the AMC-TV show “Mad Men”. My children's musical, “Perfect!” premiered in New York City in 2017.

Warren Odze (drums) and Steve Gelfand (bass), the other members of my trio, have worked extensively in recording studios with artists from Judy Collins, Kenny Rankin, Barbara Cook, Johnny Hartman, Audra MacDonald, to Janis Ian, Art Garfunkel and Rod Stewart. They have also played on numerous Broadway shows, including "The Wedding Singer", "Seussical", "Thoroughly Modern Mille", "Les Miserables", "Rent", "Tommy" and "Grease".

I currently work throughout the Tri-State area as a vocalist and keyboard player, solo or with my band, everywhere from The Palace Hotel and The Friar’s Club to the lobby of NYU Hospital. I performs a wide variety of musical styles, including jazz, top 40, pop, folk, Motown, and disco.

Additional booking notes

We;re happy to use whatever sound equipment and instruments the venue has available. If that is not the case, we can absolutely bring our own.

Past booked events

May 2023

05

Friday

Birthday Party

8:00pm - 9:30pm

Plandome, NY

Team

Willa Bassen leader; vocals and keyboards
Warren Odze drums
Steve Gelfand bass

Set list

(This is just a small sample of our extensive repertoire: 10 songs for various categories. Requests are always welcome.)

JAZZ: All The Things You Are, Autumn Leaves, Bluesette, Green Dolphin Street, I'll Remember April, It Might As Well Be Spring, Isn't It Romantic, La Vie En Rose, Love For Sale, Twisted

EASY LISTENING: Both Sides Now, Clocks, Don't Know Why, Fields Of Gold, I'm Yours, In Your Eyes, One Love, River Of Dreams, Waiting On The World To Change, You've Got A Friend

CURRENT: About Damn Time, A Bar Song, Birds Of A Feather, Can't Stop The Feeling, Dance The Night, Espresso, Flowers, Havana, Texas Hold "Em, Uptown Funk

CLASSIC DISCO: Bad Girls, Boogie Oogie Oogie, Dancing Queen, Don't Leave Me This Way, Holiday, I Will Survive, Jump (For My Love), Love Train, Hot Stuff, Native New Yorker

BALLADS: All Of Me, At Last, Crazy, Thinking Out Loud, How Long Will I Love You, I Hope You Dance, To Make You Feel My Love, A Thousand Years, Come Away With Me, Unchained Melody

CLASSIC ROCK: Don't Stop Believing, Do Wah Diddy, Fire, Gimme Some Lovin', I Saw Her Standing There, Livin' On A Prayer, Mony Mony, Old Time Rock and Roll, Satisfaction, You Make Lovin' Fun

MOTOWN: Ain't Too Proud To Beg, Baby Love, Can't Help Myself, Dancin' In The Streets, My Guy, Mustang Sally, Respect, Stop In The Name Of Love, Tell Him, The Way You Do The Things You Do

FIFTIES: Jailhouse Rock, Can't Help Falling In Love, Good Golly Miss Molly, Great Balls Of Fire, La Bamba, Rock Around The Clock, The Wanderer, The Twist, Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow, You Send Me

Influences and inspiration

We love great songs of all kinds. It begins, of course, with the Great American Songbook (Gershwin, Porter, etc.). It also includes great writers like Paul Simon, Billy Joel, Peter Gabriel, Sting, Nora Jones, Joni Mitchell and continues to present-day artists like Bille Eilish and Dua Lipa.

Setup requirements

We can bring our own, but a sound system and backline is welcome.

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