Charles Ruggiero & Frank Basile Octet: Jazz Ensemble in New York

About Charles Ruggiero & Frank Basile Octet

Charles Ruggiero & Frank Basile Octet is a New York City–rooted jazz ensemble led by pianist Charles Ruggiero and trombonist Frank Basile, heard at Smalls Jazz Club. Both leaders are fixtures in small-group settings, including Ruggiero’s quartet work, and they extend that club discipline into an expanded octet format. The group’s book favors clear melodies, defined structures, and gradual shifts in texture, with Basile’s restrained phrasing leaving room for ensemble detail. Their performances lean toward clarity over display.