Basil & Friends is not just a show — it’s a moment.
A rotating collective of New York City’s top-tier musicians takes over the stage at the historic Bitter End, delivering a one-of-a-kind performance that changes every night. With surprise guests and a fluid lineup, the music moves effortlessly through instrumental rock, soul, funk, jazz, hip-hop, and house — all played at the highest level by artists who live and breathe it.
Between them, these musicians have played with: Toni Braxton, Dojo Cat, Ms. Lauren Hill, Enrique Iglesias, J. Cole, Alicia Keys, Eros Ramazzotti, Ed Sheeran, Rob Thomas, Queen Latifah and countless others — just a fraction of the names behind the sound you’ll hear live.
At the center is Basil Wajdowicz — a native New Yorker raised in the heart of Manhattan’s music culture, now a seasoned keyboardist, bandleader, and collaborator who has toured the U.S. and Europe and worked alongside artists like Jennah Bell, Casey Benjamin, Bilal, Black Thought, Jesse Boykins III, Louis Cato, Melanie Charles, Curren$y, Devin The Dude, (members of) Dillinger Escape Plan, DJ Spinna, Kendra Foster, Syleena Johnson, Kimbra, Pedrito Martinez, MeLo-X, Renée Neufville, Kimberly Nicole, Pino Palladino, PHER (Chris Turner), Q-Tip, Asher Roth, Stalley, Ski Beatz, STOUT, Styles P and many more.
This is a rare chance to catch world-class musicians up close, in one of the most iconic rooms in music history. No two nights are the same — and that’s exactly the point.