Meet Sandra Bassett of The Sandra Bassett in Chandler

Today we’d like to introduce you to Sandra Bassett.

Sandra, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
It all started in a small white church in Detroit, Michigan. I sat next to my mother in the choir stand at every rehearsal and learned how to sing and blend my voice with those around me. I learned harmonies, song structure and how to lead songs. My mother placed me in several community choirs and theater groups, where I increased my vocal capability. At the age of 5 I began piano lessons. This lead me learn 6 other instruments and allowed me to be a Minister of Music at the age of 16.

In college, I participated in the Gospel Choir and continued my work as a Minister of Music at various churches. As I grew older I put together several choirs and musical groups that performed in several states at many different venues. I also had a musical group called Allure R&B that performed at the Motor City Casino in Detroit, MI.

Recently, I have expanded my personal brand and have been fortunate to sing with many great musicians in the area. R&B, Jazz, Motown, Blues, Soul Music and Gospel are my favorite genres of music. I have received a contract to perform Jazz in Kyoto, Japan in 2018 and until then I am blessed to be able to perform with several bands in the Metro Phoenix area.

I am a keyboardist who plays keys and sings with Spooky Kool, a blues singer with Bluesman Mike and the Blues Review Band, and of course I get to sing great R&B and Jazz covers with my own band, September Soul. Music for me has been and is a life long journey of ups and downs, twists and wonderful turns. It is what moves me and motivates me. It gives me an avenue to express myself and be free. Music IS my life and my lifeline. I am so very blessed to be able to share this wonderful gift with others.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Having had a full-time job and traveling extensively in my job gave me challenges in being able to spend as much time as I would have liked studying music and perfecting my craft. Other life aspects have also come into play, such as children, marriage, and other familial and career obligations. I spent my career as an account executive and it is only now that I have begun to fully dedicate myself to my music and all it has to offer.

That means that I have to find other means of employment that are flexible and provide enough income to allow me to sustain myself. Being a musician currently means that my income is much more limited, but my freedom to pursue and perform my music has greatly increased. It is difficult, at times, to accept the difference in lifestyle, but being able to travel and perform has helped to make the transition from corporate to musician a lot easier.

As I am building my music career, there are challenges (finding gigs, musicians, etc.) but through perseverance and determination, I am looking forward to a busy and musically fulfilling year. You have to stay focused on your purpose, your plan, your goals and your dreams. Those things are what define, refine and allow you to grind everyday towards your future.

Please tell us about The Sandra Bassett.
I have my MBA in Marketing. This allows me to create marketing and promotional materials for myself and other bands. I do this in addition to providing customers and clients with a great musical performance. I am a singer, keyboardist, host and entertainer. I am proud of the musicians I perform with, and the musical experience we provide every time we perform.

We are classy, professional, experienced, musically diverse, and pride ourselves on making every performance one to remember. I believe that my MBA provides me with an edge in marketing ourselves and our events, and my vast sales & customer service experience gives me in-depth skills in working with our customers to meet and exceed their needs.

We are a Musical Experience. A Band for all occasions, and musically talented group of musicians, with me, Sandra Bassett as the Vocalist/Host/Experience Leader for the occasion.

If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
I would have started my in-depth music career earlier. While I have experienced many opportunities and great events as a singer, if I had started earlier, I would have already traveled the world as a singer/performer! But I am blessed to be able to go to Kyoto, Japan this year to perform, and I truly believe that greater is coming!

But if starting earlier meant that I would not have met nor experienced the great people and opportunities I have already received, then I am wouldn’t do anything different. This journey has been what it was supposed to be.

My advice to others? Don’t be afraid to be a non-conformist. Live your dream and dream your life. Walk in your gifts and purpose.

Contact Info:

• Website: thesandrabassett.com
• Phone: 6026880548
• Email: thesandrabassett.com
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/septembersoulphoenix/

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