Desiree Ragoza
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Desiree Ragoza

Ashford, Connecticut, United States | Established. Jan 01, 2002 | SELF

Ashford, Connecticut, United States | SELF
Established on Jan, 2002
Solo Rock Classic Rock

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"Desiree Ragoza Takes the Meaning of “Mastering One’s Craft” to Another Level"

As seen in Guitar Girl Magazine Special Edition 2022 – I Belong

One thing is evident when you listen to Desiree Ragoza play her guitar; she has poured a lifetime of love, dedication, passion, and consistency into perfecting her guitar skills. She is a powerhouse of electricity and has gained a masterful proficiency with her craft. Her talents have taken her all over the world. She played lead guitar for Cirque du Soleil’s Michael Jackson: Immortal World Tour from 2011 to 2014, performed for Jane Zhang’s Bang the World Tour in China in 2015, and for the Legacy Tour featuring William Hall in 2016 and 2017 in Australia and Germany. Desiree is working on her fourth album while simultaneously performing in her home state of Connecticut with her band “Desiree & Friends.” Guitar Girl Magazine had the pleasure of speaking with Desiree about her experiences so far in her career, gear, and advice to aspiring female-identifying artists.

What inspires you to make music; what is it that you want people to see/feel through your music?
Honestly, inspiration hits differently depending on the situation; sometimes, I have melodies that I hear in my dreams, and then I write or record them while it’s still fresh. Sometimes I get inspired by listening to my favorite music or while working on other management tasks such as website and promotion, press, publishing, content creation for guitar cover videos, etc. When I write songs, I try to write things that are true and dear to me; something that I have truly experienced in my life, a story that I can tell that people can relate to without feeling judged and make them feel like they aren’t alone in the world. Whether through my lyrics or how I write my instrumentals, I want people to feel what I feel in my playing, the joy and passion I feel in what I do, and what I’ve known all my life to do.

Let’s talk about your setup; what amps, guitars, pedals, and pickups are in your rig right now? Do you have a favorite guitar?
I currently use a Marshall JVM410H and a 4×12 Marshall Lead Model 1960BX. This has been my only amp setup since I was 15 years old. It’s a massive part of my sound and style. My pedalboard setup is a Temple Audio TRIO 28 with an ISP Noise Decimator, BOSS Super Chorus, MXR Carbon Copy Delay, DigiTech Drop Tune Pedal, Fulltone OCD Overdrive, Ibanez 30th Anniversary Edition Tube Screamer, Peterson Strobe Tuner, and a Dunlop Kirk Hammett Wah Pedal. My guitar of choice is my 2015 PRS Custom 24 with stock pickups.

What‘s your practice routine?
On a typical practice day, I start with warm-ups, using a hand exercise tool to loosen the wrists for about five minutes, and then I practice some of the songs I like to play for about ten minutes. After that, I switch gears to learning other songs of all different styles. I want to stimulate my mind and strengthen my knowledge and skills by playing any music genre to keep myself versatile. My amount of time practicing varies on the situation; sometimes, it can be from an hour to almost five hours, or sometimes I get so lost in it that I lose track of time.

Who are your musical influences?
My biggest guitar influences are Joe Satriani, Rik Emmett of Triumph, Dickey Betts, and Jimi Hendrix.

What was it like to perform on Cirque Du Soleil’s Michael Jackson: The Immortal World tour? What were rehearsals like?
Performing on Cirque du Soleil’s Michael Jackson: The Immortal World Tour was a life-changing experience for me. I first got on the tour in 2011 when I was just shy of 18 years old and had graduated high school. Greg Phillinganes discovered my YouTube videos and contacted me to participate in the production. The rehearsals were like nothing I had ever experienced because of the long rehearsal hours, the up close and personal experience of performing alongside some of Michael Jackson’s band members of 30+ years, and the incredible amount of knowledge and skill I’ve gained from the coaching of Greg Phillinganes. There were so many amazing musicians in the room, and working with those close to the Michael Jackson Estate, plus the whole new experience of working with dancers, acrobats, dance choreographers, and all of the crew, staff, and technicians made it such a fantastic experience that I will never forget.

What are the biggest takeaways from your experience playing for Cirque du Soleil?
It was a truly educational experience through and through. At first, it was a lot to take in for me, mainly since I was used to growing up in a small town and hadn’t traveled too much out of the country other than to Canada and New Zealand. I was quickly able to adapt and take in the experience of what it was like to be on the road, from traveling a lot, learning what it truly meant to be a true musician, and allowing myself to grow personally and professionally. It is a massive part of what makes me a better player today, and I am always so blessed to have experienced those moments for the three years it had been running.

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Photo by Amy Young Photography
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So, you are partially known for playing a lot of guitar licks and solos on your Instagram. What are your favorites licks to play?
I love playing any songs by Joe Satriani and jamming over The Allman Brother’s “Kind of Bird” or “True Gravity.”

What advice do you give to people who want to learn how to play the guitar or simply want to be in the music industry?
Playing guitar is a lot of fun but also a tedious task. You become unstoppable if you are willing to do the work and have the drive and passion for learning something. The most extensive advice I can give to anyone who wants to be a guitarist, let alone a musician in the music industry, is always be faithful to yourself and be nothing but yourself in your writing, style, stage presence, and playing. Always be open-minded and ready for anything. Remain humble, but always portray to the audience who you are; send your message through your music and your passion for it. The rest will fall into place.

What was it like performing on Jane Zhang’s Bang the World Concert in Chengdu, China?
It was something I had never experienced before. It consisted of two days in her hometown of Chengdu, China. The first show was a full pop/electronic show of all her hits, while the second featured a 90-piece orchestra and two special guests, John Legend and Chris Botti. The second show was the first time I had ever experienced playing alongside a live orchestra. These shows genuinely put me through the test of being an adaptable guitar player to any genre of music when it came down to learning the jazz, classical, and orchestral elements of music. It has made me a better player today.

You performed and toured the world at a young age with some of music’s most prominent guitarists in history, such as Ted Nugent and many others. How did working with those musicians that you admired inspire your creativity, and what lessons about the music industry did they teach you?
I was fortunate to start working with high-level musicians at 12 when I started working with Doug Wimbish of Living Colour. It was then that I began to understand the nature of what it was like to work as a professional musician on the playing field, behind the scenes, and what it was like to be around songwriters, pro-level musicians, and producers and get the proper coaching and training for what was to come in the future. All of the experiences I’ve had with performers/artists such as Ted Nugent, Sammy Hagar, Foghat, Marshall Tucker, Jeff “Skunk” Baxter, Jennifer Batten, Dickey Betts, Vinnie Moore, Tony MacAlpine, Barry Goudreau, and many many more have all led me to where I am today in my playing. I count my blessings every day to be able to perform alongside such pioneers and to be able to gain the wisdom and knowledge they pass down to me in their performances and their words backstage. The biggest takeaway from what they’ve all taught me was always to be passionate about your craft.

You probably also experienced fame and recognition very young, right? How did that affect you and inspire you at the same time?
The fame portion of it never really affected me so much in my younger years because, at the time, I was managed by my father (until 2014), and all I wanted to focus on was what I was most passionate about, which was playing guitar. I never knew too much about what went on behind the scenes because I could always focus on my craft and radiate my passion on stage to others. Even today, when I am on stage, I still get the same feeling of just being lost, being in the moment and enjoying every ounce of it, and walking off the stage, still feeling the high of having an incredible show.

You have several projects out: A Bit Above, Power & Force II, and your most recent single, “Artificial.” How much has your creative process changed or evolved from the release of your first album to your most recent one?
Power & Force II was the first album I had written; most songs were written when I was 10 to 14 years old; it was primarily an instrumental rock album. “Power & Force” was the first song I had written at age 10. A Bit Above (released in 2010) was more of an eclectic album that consisted of rock/pop and ballads. “Artificial” was a song I wrote more personal to me because it gave me more freedom to express what I was dealing with at the time through my decision-making in writing my songs. I had more space to write the music how I wanted it to be and get my message across with confidence in expression lyrically and through my playing. The more recent songs I have written (which will soon be released as singles) have more of a direction of heavier guitar riffs and an electronic feel, but also the exact impact of being direct with my emotions in playing.

Can you break down what you felt and thought when you wrote and recorded your song “Fretboards On Fire”? What amps, guitars, and pedals did you use to record this song?
I first wrote this song at age 15 when I was in Longview Farm Studio’s recording studio in North Brookfield, Mass. I was staying there for a few days specifically to be away from family and be in a different creative space for my writing. The people I was working with at the time had me “locked” in a room one time to see what would happen with my ideas, and I ended up coming up with four new songs ideas within the hours I was in there. I don’t remember exactly what settings were used at the time since I was plugged into a unit of sorts in the studio, and the very first recording of this song is different than what is on the record Power & Force II now, including the fact that the original recording had some lyrics in the chorus. The original recording had a more electronic/hip hop feel, whereas the current recording has a very percussive and heavy-rock feel. The guitar I had used at that time recording the song was a Schecter blue Exotic Star, and on the current recording, I had used the same setup I use currently. - Guitar Girl Magazine - Guitar Gabby


"100 Best Female Guitar Players"

#42 - Spinditty


"Heart of the Matter: Carlos Santana Gets Back to His Roots On 'Corazón,' His New Latin Music Album."

On a recent winter’s evening, the excitement inside the Vincente Gomez Fernández Arena in Guadalajara, Mexico, seemed sufficient to blow the venue’s corrugated tin roof sky high. Backed by his impeccably tight band and joined onstage by a cadre of Latino superstars, a resplendently white-clad Carlos Santana was debuting songs from his new Latin music album, Corazón, in front of what was essentially a hometown crowd.

The iconic guitarist grew up in nearby Autlán de Navarro, making the concert very much a triumphant homecoming for him. But at a pre-show press conference, Carlos made it clear that, for him, the evening held an even larger meaning.

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“I honor being Mexican and being born here,” he said. “But I don’t have the feeling that that’s all I am. I am all the animals in the zoo. I identify with Paris and San Francisco. I identify with Bob Marley and Michael Jackson. And of all the artists at Woodstock, some of them are not here anymore. But I’m here, and I’m ready to take it to a whole other level.”

At Woodstock in 1969 and throughout the early Seventies, Santana revolutionized the sound and scope of rock music by fusing the passionate intensity of Latin rhythms with the white-hot rock guitar aesthetic that players like Jeff Beck, Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton and Jimmy Page had recently brought to the music’s foreground. Santana actually had to fight to get the Spanish-language tune “Oye Como Va” onto his classic 1970 album Abraxas. (The song went on to become a hit for his group.)

In that respect, Corazón is a beautiful barometer of how far things have come since then. With the exception of Bob Marley’s “Iron, Lion, Zion,” sung in Jamaican/English patois by Ziggy Marley, all the songs on the album are performed in either Spanish or Portuguese by an all-star cast of guest vocalists. They include veterans like Gloria Estefan and young bloods like Juanes, who was originally with the Colombian metal band Ekymosis, and Samuel Rosa of the Brazilian ska group Skank.

But in many ways, the real language of Corazón is that of the guitar—not to mention the heart, which is what the title means in Spanish. Santana’s always-fiery playing hits a new caloric level on the disc. His deep connection to this music can be felt in every note.
“Let’s not forget, man, California’s in a serious drought now,” he deadpans. “So we need some seriously juicy notes.”
Given the current dry emphasis on scales and technique in rock guitar playing, Corazón is indeed like a tall, refreshing glass of fresh mango juice, spiked perhaps with a little of Carlos’ favorite tequila. Rock guitarists of the Seventies had a lot to learn from early Santana game changers like Abraxas, Caravansari and Love Devotion Surrender. In the same way, today’s guitarists can cop a few lessons from Corazón.

“I love all the young players today,” Carlos rhapsodizes. “I love my sister Orianthi and this new lady Desiree Bassett, who’s playing on the Michael Jackson Cirque du Soleil tour right now. And this young gentleman Quinn Sullivan, who’s playing with Buddy Guy. I welcome all that, man. And hopefully they can hang around me so they can—ready for this?—expand their portfolio. Latino music is really a combination of music from Africa, Spain and Germany: polkas, waltzes, flamenco and a whole lot of African music. We Latinos didn’t invent it; we integrated it.”

While reconnecting Santana with his Latino heart, Corazón also brought him back together with the amp that created much of his classic Seventies tone: his snakeskin Mesa/Boogie Mark I, originally given to him by his guitar-playing brother, Jorge, in 1973.

“I stopped playing it for a while,” he says, “I don’t know why. But then I just rediscovered it last year when somebody sent me a video of Santana at the Budokan in Japan in 1973. And I said, ‘Oh my god, I gotta get back to that sound! It’s like an old friend that I miss like crazy.” And sure enough, we found the amp in the warehouse, and we sent it to Randy [Mesa/Boogie chief Randall Smith]. They cleaned it up a bit, took a little bit of the rust away. Man, that amp’s sound is supreme for blues and everything else.”

For the Corazón sessions, Santana teamed his Boogie with a Dumble amp and a Bludotone Universal Tone head. “Those three give me the head tones, chest tones and bass tones,” he notes. “I use three amps not to be louder but to be correct with the three dimensions of highs, middles and lows.”

Plugged into these amps, most of the time, were two salmon-colored PRS custom Santana model guitars: one with a Brazilian rosewood fingerboard from 2006 and another with an Indian rosewood fingerboard from 2013. The latter guitar was made for a tour of Europe, where there’s a ban on Brazilian rosewood, an endangered tonewood. The Indian rosewood yields a slightly brighter tone, according to longtime Santana guitar tech Ed Adair. The guitar from ’06 is called Salmon, and the ’13 model Son of Salmon.

“Those two are the main quarterbacks,” Carlos says. “Although once in a while I play some of the other PRS guitars I have. Anything Paul Reed Smith sends is incredible. So I played 90 percent PRS on the album and 10 percent Strat.”

The Stratocaster in question is an ash-bodied, maple-necked hybrid assembled from parts at Cowtown Guitars in Las Vegas. It’s heard on Corazón’s first single release, “La Flaca,” sung by Juanes, and “I Am the Light,” which features Santana’s longtime musical comrade saxophonist Wayne Shorter.

As has been the case for some time now, Carlos sticks strictly to lead guitar on Corazón. Rhythm guitar duties are deputized to Tommy Anthony and Tim Pierce, who ace everything from the Latin-goes-ska vibe of “Saideira” to the sultry drive of “La Flaca.”

“I feel like I need a rhythm guitar player around me,” Carlos says, “so I can really concentrate on ‘O Solo Mio.’ Just take solos, you know? And trust that somebody else can direct the grooves. Some of the greatest guitarists were really solid rhythm players, like Steve Cropper, Freddie Green, Freddie Stone with Sly & the Family Stone, and Al McKay with the Watts 103rd Street Rhythm Band. There’s an art to playing rhythm guitar in such a way that there’s an incredible groove in the room. That’s important to me. At this point, I’m 67, surrounded by a band that has a lot of energy, and I’m really grateful for that.”

Corazón also gave Carlos an opportunity to pay tribute to one of his key Latin American guitar heroes, the late Brazilian jazz great Bola Sete.

“I once sent a couple of Bola Sete CDs to Paco de Lucía, John Scofield and John McLaughlin,” Santana says. “Because to me, Bola Sete was at the same level as Andrés Segovia, Charlie Christian, T-Bone Walker, Wes Montgomery and Jimi Hendrix. There’s a video you can find on YouTube of Bola Sete playing with Wes Montgomery. The guy’s grinning the whole time. Never even looks down at the guitar and he’s kicking your ass. Just pure beauty, grace, brilliance and excellence. His guitar don’t even have dots or anything. He’s playing bass with his thumb and lead and rhythm with his two fingers. So I got a chance to do one of his songs on this album. It’s called "I See Your Face.”

Carlos busts a few nylon-string moves of his own on “Una Noche en Nápoles,” laying licks alongside three queens of Latina song—Lila Downs (Mexico), Nina Pastori (Spain) and Soledad Pastorutti (Argentina)—who imbue each verse with an escalating sense of sensuous drama before nailing your heart to the door in three-part harmony choruses. Carlos rises to the occasion on a 1962 José Ramírez flamenco nylon-string backed by a 1972 Martin D12-20 12-string that once belonged to Eric Clapton. Both were loaned for the session by Pete Trauth of AJ’s Music in Las Vegas.

“I played nylon strings on and off in Mexico when I was growing up,” Carlos recalls, “because I didn’t know you were supposed to have steel strings to make the guitar electric. So even when I had an electric guitar, I put nylon strings on it. And I’d say, ‘I can’t get any volume out of this!’ Until someone said, ‘That’s because you’re not playing with steel strings!’ Oh man, I was just a kid.”

For Latin music veterans and newcomers alike, working with Carlos Santana means stepping up to the plate in a big way. The faint of heart need not apply. But how does he know if the chemistry is right?

“I look in their eyes,” he says, “and I know if it’s ready or not. If it’s not ready, we can’t go there, because velocity and luminosity have to be in the room. It can’t be ‘kinda, sorta, maybe.’ I don’t want to be around those words. I can’t hang with ‘to be or not to be’—all that self-doubting, dry intellectual stuff. That’s okay for Shakespeare, but I’d rather hang with Albert King, Albert Collins and Stevie Ray Vaughan. Those guys didn’t know words like kinda, sorta, maybe or to be or not to be. Just it is!” - Guitar World Magazine


"Interview: Guitarist Desiree Bassett Talks Cirque Du Soleil's Michael Jackson Immortal World Tour"

Throughout his career, Michael Jackson employed an endless series of amazing guitar players for studio and stage work, including Eddie Van Halen, Slash, Jennifer Batten and Steve Lukather.

In 2009, Jackson was set to embark on his "This Is It" tour, which would've consisted of some 50 shows kicking off that summer and ending the following spring. Unfortunately, Jackson's tour would never take place; he died of cardiac arrest on June 25, 2009, at age 50.

Jackson's death created a demand for all things associated with his music and image, and in 2012, his estate approved Cirque Du Soleil's idea for "Michael Jackson: The Immortal World Tour." The tour has been a great success; dates are scheduled through the spring, with more dates being added soon. For more about the tour, visit cirquedusoleil.com.

We recently spoke with Immortal World Tour lead guitarist Desiree Bassett, who is tasked with recreating a host of legendary guitar parts on Jackson's songs — night after night, city after city.

GUITAR WORLD: You've jammed with some of rock's elite, including Ted Nugent, Sammy Hagar and others. What's your background, and how did you get to be where you are now?

I started playing guitar at age 3. My dad taught me how to play, everything from how to play chords, scales, how to change strings and how to tune. To this day, we still teach each other so much. If it wasn't for my dad, in terms of his being there for me and being so supportive, I probably never would have gotten this far in life with the one thing I love to do most.

In terms of exposure, it's a matter of constantly practicing, getting yourself out there (YouTube has been the best tool for sure) and having the right connections, someone to support you. For me, it's my dad. But the most important thing is to have a good, positive attitude and just have fun and do what you do best.


The Michael Jackson Cirque Du Soleil tour has been very successful. What was the audition process like, and what did you learn from it?

For me, there was no audition process. The musical director/keyboardist/band leader of the tour was putting together the band and had came across my material online and my videos on YouTube. From there, he called my dad and told him he wanted me in the band. He was convinced I'd be able to do the job.

From there, I flew into rehearsals months later and it was just the start of a new adventure in my career. There is just so much I have learned, it's overwhelming, just being able to be with and play with members of Michael Jackson's band just says a lot on its own. For me, it was a whole new obstacle trying to learn a new genre of music I've never played before. It definitely rounds me out into being a better player because Michael wasn't just about pop, he was all about rock, pop and funk, about getting the groove on, and that definitely adds to a whole new level of playing.

How much of a grind were the rehearsals? How long did it take to prep for a tour like this?

It was August 1 when we started the rehearsals and October 2 when we first started the tour. We would spend long hours in the studio for two months, rehearsing the parts anywhere from eight to 12 hours a day almost every day. It was a hard, long process for all of us, but all of the hard work and dedication really paid off in the long run.

What type of rig did you take out on this tour? Did you choose your own gear, or did the production company have a setup they liked?

I came out with my very own equipment. I have two Marshall JVM 410s, Ernie Ball Musicman John Petrucci editions (one 6-string and one 7-string), a Gibson goldtop SG and a Martin acoustic, along with my own pedal board that includes a Digitech Whammy, Zakk Wylde Wah, Ibanez Tube Screamer, Zakk Wylde Overdrive, Morpheus pedal, MXR Super 70's, Boss Chromatic Tuner, ISP Noise Decimator and a Boss chorus and delay pedal.

Did the huge stage create issues locking in with the other musicians?

There wasn't much room to work with, considering that we're an 11-piece band. There are three parts of the stage, B stage (out front center), A stage (the main stage) and a BBQ Deck (a top level where the musicians are set up). Most of us have monitors by our setup, so we can watch our director's cues. We have in-ear monitors to hear ourselves, so the drummer can follow to a count and a click track. Sometimes the amount of activity that goes on during the show is overwhelming between focusing on your own parts, watching for cues and knowing your cues and being distracted by all of the amazing talent that goes on on stage (trapeze artists etc.), but as pros we just have fun with it.

What was your favorite part of this experience?

It's hard to name my favorite thing about the experience because this is the first tour I've ever truly been on in terms of a long-term tour. Just everything from seeing the world, trying new things to meeting new people and making new friends and being able to meet famous people and just doing what you love to do most, it's hard to turn something like that down!

How true did the band stay to Michael Jackson’s records?

We are fully spot-on with Michael's records. From parts to sounding exactly like the records tone-wise, but sometimes we like to change things up just a tad.

What's next for you?

My plan after this tour is to have a tour with my own band and get my own music going. That has always been a big goal of mine. Keep working on new music, get out there and experience the world with my own band, and just share my music and make a difference in this world and try to stay a positive role model to everyone of all ages. To keep going with whatever it is you do best and to always pursue your dreams.

Where can people hear original music from you and keep up with your career?

You can find all of my music and tour dates on dbassett.com and also sites like iTunes, Rhapsody, Amazon, CD Baby, etc. All of my videos are on YouTube. You also can visit me at Facebook. - Guitar World Magazine


"Nightcrawler: International Cirque-it"

It was a steamy July evening at the MGM Grand at Foxwoods back in 2008. “Red Rocker” Sammy Hagar had just invited local guitarist Desiree Bassett on stage to unleash her much-ballyhooed fretboard fireworks to Led Zep’s “Rock ‘n’ Roll.” True to form, the then 15-year-old wunderkind did not disappoint.

“Damn,” Hagar said, upon jam’s end. “Somebody put that shit on Youtube.”

Somebody did, and to date, more than one million people have watched it.

But perhaps no viewers would have more bearing on the E.O. Smith High School graduate’s future than the small team of people who viewed it from a particular office of note in Canada.

“Sure, we still get resumes from people all the time,” Cirque Du Soleil’s Maxime Charbonneau tells the Crawler, seated across from Bassett in the Hartford Hilton lobby, “but we are definitely finding an increasing amount of our talent on Youtube, yes. I mean, you can describe what you do—how you perform—in words all day long, but there is truly nothing like seeing it. So yes, we surf around even and say, ‘Look at this guy… we’ve got to have him.'”

At the time, the Cirque casting team was on the lookout for members for its Michael Jackson: Immortal production. And when they happened upon a few Bassett uploads, they knew they had filled their six-string void.

“I remember my father took the phone call, and he sat me down and said, ‘Desiree, you have just been presented an amazing opportunity,'” Bassett says.

Her father—now manager—Daniel and mother Myrna were instrumental in her musical mastery of… well, instruments. They bought her her first guitar, a half-sized Lotus, at the age of 2, and a full-scale Ibanez Roadstar by 5.

“My father played, too, so we would play together and he would show me things back then,” Bassett recalls with a smile. “I think it was around age 8 when I entered this talent show and taught myself to play Joe Satriani’s ‘Always With You, Always With Me,’ that he knew this was more than a hobby for me.”

Bassett would go on to not only meet her idol Joe Satriani, but share stages with members of Living Colour, The Allman Brothers Band and Aerosmith, to name a choice few. For now though, she says she is both enjoying and learning from her current Cirque experience.

“Of course, production is amazing and everything has to go off like clockwork,” she says. “But still, the music team did allow a few little pockets in the program where I can be Desiree and work my own solos.”

Cirque Du Soleil’s Michael Jackson: Immortal tour comes to the XL Center (xlcenter.com) in Hartford on May 3. On Saturday, June 2, she utilizes the occasion of a Cirque night off to play a Somers, Conn. show at Joanna’s Cafe with her own band, Desiree & The Time Machine.

For more information on the latter, kindly point your browser to dbassett.com.



In other news, some potential Browne-y points for those seeking exceptional Mother’s and Father’s Day gifts.

While the concert itself will not occur until Aug. 1, tickets for Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Jackson Browne‘s 2012 Acoustic Tour stop at Mountain Park (iheg.com) in Holyoke go on sale this Friday, May 4.

Singer/songwriter/fiddler Sara Watkins gets the opening nod for this one, and how’s this for degrees of separation? The producer of Watkins’ upcoming solo effort, Blake Mills, performs at Mountain Park himself June 23 in support of Fiona Apple.

Kevin Bacon, eat your heart out.? - Valley Advocate


"Michael Jackson Immortal tour hits DCU for two shows"

A guitar prodigy, Desiree Bassett of Ashford, Conn., had been accepted at Berklee College of Music in Boston.

But before she showed up for her first classes, an opportunity presented itself that Bassett couldn't turn down. Greg Phillinganes, music director of Cirque du Soleil's pending "Michael Jackson The Immortal World Tour," offered her a role in the show as lead guitarist.

The tour hit the ground running in Montreal in October 2011, and is still rolling along, returning to the DCU Center (the show was also here in May 2012) for two performances, at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

Bassett, 21, has been with the show from the start, toured the world with it, and plans on sticking around. "Until the tour ends," she said during a recent telephone interview. "I'm not really sure when it ends."

The estate of Michael Jackson (who died in 2009) and Cirque du Soleil (the French-Canadian "Circus of the Sun'') came together to create the "Michael Jackson The Immortal World Tour." The show has Jackson's voice singing through the sound system; his songs (more than 30); a live band that includes Bassett along with musicians who performed with Jackson; a huge cast of dancers and performers, underscored by aerial performance, driving acrobatics and vivid choreographies; and multiple screens. Trademark Jackson and Cirque visuals and fantasy blend together, according to the show's director of creation, Chantal Tremblay, in a previous interview. "It's a show about him, with him. It's a fusion of Cirque du Soleil plus a big rock touring concert."

To put it another way, "It's been a really fun experience. It's mind-blowing for me," said Bassett.

Since listening to Jackson's music from childhood, Bassett had always been a fan. But she didn't know how much of a fan she was going to become. "On the tour, I've been able to feel the music and get a better understanding of who he was as a person," she said. "It's made me 10 million more times a fan."

Jackson started out young musically, and so did Bassett.

She said she started playing the guitar when she was 3 years old. "I just gravitated, not knowing how to play it, really." She was encouraged by her parents, and soon was correcting her father, Daniel Bassett, when they were playing guitar together.

At 8, her father took her to perform in a talent show. "It was a little nerve-wracking, but I said 'I can really do this.' I forgot about people watching."

A year later she started taking lessons in the University of Connecticut music program.

In 2005 she was selected as one of 16 finalists at the Olympics of Entertainment in New York City. She performed at the 40th anniversary of Woodstock, bringing up Jimi Hendrix's original percussionist Geraldo Velez to end the night with "Purple Haze." She has shared the stage with such artists as Sammy Hagar, Ted Nugent, The Marshall Tucker Band and members of the Allman Brothers.

Phillinganes is a keyboard player who toured with Michael Jackson and many other well-known artists, and was the musical director for Jackson's "Bad" and "Dangerous" concert tours.

While casting his net for The Immortal tour, he saw Bassett's YouTube performance videos. Bassett said Phillinganes called her father. Coincidentally, Bassett was home listening to Jackson's "The Way You Make Me Feel." When her father said to her a few minutes later "you won't believe the opportunity" that was just presenting itself, Bassett replied right away "Michael Jackson."

The band, with Jackson's drummer Jonathan "Sugarfoot" Moffett providing the beat, performs the songs from the original recordings (with some variations), although the players cut loose in terms of movement on stage.

Bassett said rehearsals lasted 2½ months. "It was a lot of work. A lot of long hours."

Besides enhancing her appreciation of Jackson, being involved with the tour has been a tremendous learning experience, she said. "I'm a better player. It's expanded my knowledge."

The show has performed to an audience of more than 2 million worldwide. With the show coming back to the DCU Center, Bassett will be close to home again. Ashford is only 40 minutes from Worcester, and she's been here many times, she said.

When the tour ends, Bassett said she wants to focus on her own music, which, in addition to playing guitar, includes writing, singing and playing bass, drums and keyboards.

As for Berklee, "It's never too late to go to college," she said. - Telegram


"Cirque du Soleil Michael Jackson Immortal Tour coming to Hartford"

Cirque du Soleil and Michael Jackson are both legendary and icons, each remarkable, each fantastic, so imagine the power and personality and punch of uniting them in one extraordinary entertainment experience. WOW!!! On Wednesday, May 2 and Thursday, May 3 at 8 p.m. Hartford's XL Center will explode with "Michael Jackson: The Immortal World Tour."

The official "King of Pop," the superstar of performers, the greatest entertainer of all time, a larger than life personality, Michael Jackson began life in a small three-room house in Gary, Indiana. His father Joe's strict discipline had a profound effect on Michael, contributing to his success as well as bordering on child abuse. At a young age, he began performing with his brothers as part of The Jackson 5.

A singer-songwriter, musician, composer, dancer, choreographer, record producer, actor, businessman and philanthropist, Jackson knew no equal. Through his Heal the World Foundation, he personally donated over $300,000,000 to charity and holds the Guiness World Record for having supported more charities than any other pop star, and more than any other celebrity except for Oprah Winfrey. - New Haven Register


"Connecticut teen in Michael Jackson show"

A 19-year-old guitarist from Connecticut is among the performers bringing Michael Jackson's world to life in the new Cirque du Soleil show in Hartford this week.

Desiree Bassett is her name and she said she's having a rockin' time on stage as part of the show, "Michael Jackson The Immortal World Tour."

Combining Jackson's music and choreography with Cirque du Soleil's creativity, the production features more than 60 international dancers, acrobats and musicians.

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Jackson loved music and dance, fairy tales and magic, and the fragile beauty of nature. All these pieces of his inner world are explored in this high-energy production at Hartford's XL Center, Thursday, May 3.

Bassett, who hails from Ashford, started playing guitar at 3. She learned from her dad and plays by ear. In a recent interview, she recalled just "noodling around" with her guitar as a youngster. She was 5 when she learned her first tune -- "Always With You," by Joe Satriani.

By first grade she'd discovered Jackson's music. She recalled teachers playing the "Thriller" video every year at Halloween. Her first Jackson song was "Beat It." Bassett said she does not find his music difficult to play, but feels he was a genius. - CT Post


"Connecticut teen in Michael Jackson show"

A 19-year-old guitarist from Connecticut is among the performers bringing Michael Jackson's world to life in the new Cirque du Soleil show in Hartford this week.

Desiree Bassett is her name and she said she's having a rockin' time on stage as part of the show, "Michael Jackson The Immortal World Tour."

Combining Jackson's music and choreography with Cirque du Soleil's creativity, the production features more than 60 international dancers, acrobats and musicians.

Jackson loved music and dance, fairy tales and magic, and the fragile beauty of nature. All these pieces of his inner world are explored in this high-energy production at Hartford's XL Center, Thursday, May 3.

Bassett, who hails from Ashford, started playing guitar at 3. She learned from her dad and plays by ear. In a recent interview, she recalled just "noodling around" with her guitar as a youngster. She was 5 when she learned her first tune -- "Always With You," by Joe Satriani.

By first grade she'd discovered Jackson's music. She recalled teachers playing the "Thriller" video every year at Halloween. Her first Jackson song was "Beat It." Bassett said she does not find his music difficult to play, but feels he was a genius.

Bassett continued improving her guitar skills throughout her school years.

"In seventh grade, I wrote a song for extra credit, on the subject of Civil War times," she said.

The touching song about the Confederacy and the free states -- the Union -- nearly made her teacher cry.

Bassett wound up as part of "Michael Jackson The Immortal World Tour" after the show's music director "found some of my stuff on YouTube and called my dad."

That was back in March 2011.

"He (Bassett's dad) had no idea what it was about," she said, but after looking into it, the family decided joining the tour was a great opportunity.

"I had just graduated (high school) and was doing shows with my band," said Bassett, who also was working with her mom at the time.

She hadn't played much pop music, as she was more into the blues, but said it was fun to learn Jackson's songs.

Bassett said several of the tour band's members played with Jackson on his tours, and others involved with the show also worked with him for many years -- some for decades.

"The bass player got his nickname, Tree, from Michael," she said. "Michael said `Oh, you are really tall; I think I will name you Tree.' "

Bassett said she loves to play "Beat It" and especially enjoys the part of the show when she gets to do "a solo battle duet with the cello player."

Maxime Charbonneau, a publicist with Cirque du Soleil, said the whole show is driven by Jackson's voice.

"We had access to master recordings of his music and exclusive tapes," Charbonneau said. "Nobody sings Michael's part; it's recorded, but we have three singers who do the chorus.


"There is only one Michael Jackson."

"Michael Jackson The Immortal World Tour" has been attracting crowds of all ages. Some people even come dressed as Jackson. The show underscores his global messages of love, peace and unity.

The show was written by Emmy Award-winner Jamie King, who is also its director.

For the past 12 years, King has served as Madonna's creative director and, most recently, directed world tours for Rihanna and Britney Spears.

He's worked with everyone from Ricky Martin and Elton John to Shakira and Jennifer Lopez.

This is his first show with Cirque du Soleil. - SF Gate


"Ashford Native Desireé Bassett Is Lead Guitarist With Cirque Tour – April 26th, 2012"

Desireé Bassett has played with some big names on some big stages, but it doesn’t get much bigger than Michael Jackson.

The Ashford resident isn’t playing with Jackson, of course — he died in 2009 — but Bassett, 19, is the lead guitarist for Cirque du Soleil’s “Michael Jackson: The Immortal World Tour,” playing the King of Pop’s songs as part of a huge production that mixes music, dance and Cirque’s trademark acrobatics.

“It’s been a lot of fun,” Bassett says by phone before the show sets up in Hartford for performances Wednesday and Thursday. “This has been my first tour ever, so a lot of these things are brand new to me.”

Pop music is one of them. Bassett started playing guitar when she was 2, gravitating toward blues and classic rock, especially the flashy playing of instrumentalist Joe Satriani. Those styles dominate the three CDs she released between 2008-10. Learning Michael Jackson’s catalog sent her in a new direction.

“I’ve never played pop music before, so it was a jump for me, but at the same time, it gives me that versatility,” she says. “Michael was definitely a musical genius.”

Working as part of a vast ensemble of musicians and dancers in a show with high production values was a new challenge, too.

“Playing with my band and stuff, it’s just rock music and I get to do my thing,” Bassett says. “With this, it’s not just being able to play the music, but there’s a theatrical end to it, too. I never used to move around as much, but it’s just so fun to intertwine the two.”

The theatrical part of it appeals to Bassett, who says she sometimes performs on her own wearing a tux and tails. Just getting ready for Cirque show takes 2 1/2 hours, Bassett says.

“The makeup part is the most difficult part,” she says. “At first they show us how to do it, but then we have to do it on our own, and I’m very particular.”

Bassett is signed up through the end of the North American tour in August, and she hopes to continue on through the European leg, and maybe Asia and Australia, too, which could keep her busy through 2013.

After that? It’s back to rock ‘n’ roll.

“I’ve been writing some songs and pressing to try to release a new album as I’m on the road and all that,” she says. - Hartford Courant


"A Bit Above Review"

While this guitar-centric propulsion of quick-fingered rock would be impressive regardless of who those nimble digits belonged to, the fact that these sounds are squealing from the amp of a young lady who is still a few years shy of graduating high school makes it all the more impressive. Also impressive: the fact that these are all original compositions. Perhaps most impressive: the level of dexterity represented within the shifting genres and methods she tackles over the course of these 10 songs.Whether fast (“Power & Force”), slow (“Never Back Down”), acoustic (“Love Her”), or straight up shredding (“Pulse”), she never seems out of her comfort zone. While some young prodigies are content to cover classic rock staples and sacrifice groove and feel for technicality, this is a girl who seems to already have a handle on the way this music ticks. Oh, and she sings, too. While her hands continue to work double overtime. If this hasn’t convinced you, look her up on YouTube. Hit play, get your mind blown, then come back here and get in on the ground floor.
~Brad at CD Baby - Brad at CD Baby


"CD Baby Review"

We love your Desiree Apolonio Bassett: Power & Force, Vol. II CD so much that we are going to feature it on the CD Baby front page for a day, and in our Editor's Picks section from now on. We're *really* picky about what we feature. We receive about 300 new albums a DAY, (over 300,000 total), and yours is one of the best we've ever heard. - CD Baby


"‘A LOCAL LEGEND,’ SHE CAN PLAY THE GUITAR"

In the cold, dark practice studio attached to her Ashford home, Desiree' Bassett plays loud and fast with a huge smile that shows her braces. She tosses her long hair around as her hands fly over the guitar strings and the neck of the guitar one recent Monday afternoon.
"I like to show off what I can do and show people how serious I am about my career," the 15-year-old says.
Desiree' started playing the guitar when she was 3. She played her first full-size guitar at 5, and she won a talent competition when she was 12. At 14, she played side stage at Ozzfest in Hartford. Now she's 15, and has captured the attention of rock music legends Rik Emmett, Dicky Betts and Joe Satriani.
Desiree' has four major endorsements and is working on an album with her band, Desiree' & the Time Machine. Her producer is bass player Doug Wimbish from Living Colour. Desiree' is only the second person ever to sit in and play with Living Colour. The other? Carlos Santana.
Desiree', a 10th-grader at E.O. Smith High School in Storrs, practices every day for several hours, sometimes as many as eight. She has three shows scheduled in December and recently completed a very secret recording project in Arizona. "Somehow I manage to balance it all out and get it done," Desiree' said.
"With honors," added her father, Dan Bassett, who was watching her practice.
Bassett manages his daughter, books her shows and plans all of her trips. He and Desiree' actually learned to play on the same guitar, which Bassett bought in the 1980s.
This summer, Desiree' was featured in Guitar Player magazine, and her father said she is "a local legend down at the GC [Guitar Center in Manchester]."
"You should have seen my face when she came out in the July issue of Guitar Player magazine," Dan Bassett said. "I'm extremely lucky to be her dad."
Desiree', who likes country music, jazz and blues, took guitar lessons from professors at the University of Connecticut, and she now gives lessons to others.
"Basically, I listen to a lot of music," Desiree' said. Satriani is her favorite guitarist, and her favorite singers are Reba McEntire, Carrie Underwood and Celine Dion.
https://www.courant.com/news/connecticut/hc-xpm-2007-11-26-0711250162-story.html 1/3
12/20/2020 'A LOCAL LEGEND,' SHE CAN PLAY THE GUITAR - Hartford Courant
Desiree', however, doesn't let music take up all her time.
"She's a motorcycle daredevil," her father said. She has been riding quads [four-wheel vehicles] on their 12-acre property since she was 5.
"I have two dirt bikes and a quad," Desiree' said. "I'm kind of trying to lay off jumps."
She also likes to make jewelry, draw, go fishing, swim and jump on her trampoline. She enjoys spending time with her 10-year-old sister, Jessica, and is currently working on her 69th anime/comedy video to post on YouTube with her others.
"She's a true artist in every sense of the word," her father said.
Keith Hansen, of Florida, runs Desiree's fan club. He heard her play at her home when he was invited over while the truck he was driving for the Ozzfest tour was in for maintenance.
"I went in and watched her play and the rest is history," Hansen said. "I could not believe what I was seeing."
Hansen, a former disc jockey, and Desiree's father talk every day to exchange ideas that will increase her exposure to the public.
"She has unbelievable talent and she loves what she does," Hansen said. "She loves to play. This particular artist just grabbed me by the soul."
After high school, Desiree' hopes to go on tour.
College is a possibility, and Desiree's father said both Berklee College of Music in Boston and UConn have shown interest in her. For now, the family is focused on making sure she gets through high school at the same high standard she has established as an honor student.
"We're not going to jeopardize her education for the music," Dan Bassett said.
"[Playing guitar] is one of my favorite hobbies; it's something I'm attached to," Desiree' said. "I'm going to keep practicing and focusing on my music and keep writing songs."
Desiree' Bassett's website is www.desireebassett.com. Contact Shawn Beals at sbeals@courant.com. - Hartford Courant


"13 yr. old is a singing, guitar sensation"

you can't mention the name Desiree' Bassett without immediately adding guitarist, composer, AND singer. Since the age of three, Desiree' has been playing guitar and honing her skills to become a guitar virtuoso. Playing the blues and rock n roll to all age crowds throughout New England...... - Journal Inquirer


"14 yr. Old Guitar Sensation"

14 yr old guitar sensation will play the 37th annual Milford oyster fest on 18 aug. 2007 - Hartford Courant


"Rocker Chic"

Desiree' Bassett appears in GP magizine @ 14 yrs old as a rocker to be recoginized. July 2007 - Guitar Player magizine


"Rocker Girl"

July 2007 issue - Guitar Player magizine


"Rocker Girl"

July 2007 issue - Guitar Player magizine


"The Guitarqueen meets the Red Rocker"

SAMMY HAGER HAS A NEW FAVORITE GUITAR PLAYER AFTER MEETING 15 YR. OLD DESIREE' BASSETT AT TH mgm GRAND HOTEL IN LEDYARD CT. ON SUNDAY 20 JULY 2008 - D.O.G. PUBS


"Power & Force II"


We love your "DESIREE' APOLONIO BASSETT: Power & Force, Vol. II" CD
so much that we're going to feature it on the CD Baby front page for a
day, and in our Editor's Picks section from now on.

We're *really* picky about what we feature. We receive about 300 new
albums a DAY, (over 300,000 total), and yours is one of the best we've
ever heard.
Here's the pertinent info:

THE DATE YOUR CD WILL BE ON THE FRONT PAGE OF CDBABY.COM
(This is the big day - make a note of it somewhere.)
Friday, June 26th 2009

OUR REVIEW (Feel free to quote it anywhere!)
While this guitar-centric propulsion of quick-fingered rock would be
impressive regardless of who those nimble digits belonged to, the fact
that these sounds are squealing from the amp of a young lady who is
still a few years shy of graduating high school makes it all the more
impressive. Also impressive: the fact that these are all original
compositions. Perhaps most impressive: the level of dexterity
represented within the shifting genres and methods she tackles over
the course of these 10 songs. Whether fast ("Power & Force"), slow
("Never Back Down"), acoustic ("Love Her"), or straight up shredding
("Pulse"), she never seems out of her comfort zone. While some young
prodigies are content to cover classic rock staples and sacrifice
groove and feel for technicality, this is a girl who seems to already
have a handle on the way this music ticks. Oh, and she sings, too.
While her hands continue to work double overtime. If this hasn't
convinced you, look her up on YouTube. Hit play, get your mind blown,
then come back here and get in on the ground floor.
- CD BABY


"The Coolest Little Guitar Player 1/4/2007"

The coolest little guitar player in the country is coming to channel 13 public access for a live studio performance and interview. We are honored. Log on to wccatv.com for more - WCCA TV 13 Worcester, Mass.


"Wonderkind Wows Wimbash 2007"

Fourteen yr. old shredder Desiree' Bassett blows the roof off the Anaheim, California in the Hilton hotel at the Wimbash, sponsored by Peavey and Rock house videos stealing the show. - NAMM Publication, California


"A Guitar Legend in the making"

On the cover, 17 year old guitar goddess Desiree Bassett and her band will perform live at the Mohegan Sun casino tonite !

Guitarist plays with Power and Force......... - te Norwich Bulletin


"Age ain't nothing but a number for this rocker"

If you read Desiree' Bassett's list of influences you would guess she is a woman in her 30's.
But she is only 17 and already has two cd's released and another on the way.
Desiree' has been playing guitar for fourteen years already - the Bristol Observer


"A Guitar Legend in the making"

On the cover, 17 year old guitar goddess Desiree Bassett and her band will perform live at the Mohegan Sun casino tonite !

Guitarist plays with Power and Force......... - te Norwich Bulletin


Discography

  • Artificial (Single) - Released: February 27th, 2021
    ℗ 2021 Desiree Bassett LLC
  • A Bit Above - Released: Nov, 17th, 2010
    ℗ 2010 Desiree Bassett
  • Power & Force II - Released: Jun 08, 2009
    ℗ 2009 Desiree’ Bassett LLC

Desiree Bassett LLC recorded at Treehouse studios, Longview farms, A. Betts studios, Pat Keegan studios, Audio Media Solutions, Silvermine Studios, Carriage House Studios, Couch Creative Studios

Photos

Bio

  Desiree Apolonio Ragoza (Bassett) became fascinated with playing guitar and singing at the age of 3 and by the age of 5, she was already able to play songs from artists such as Joe Satriani, Boston, and Triumph and she was also performing in local music competitions. At age 12, she began studying at the University of Connecticut music program and went on to win Talent America’s Musician of the Year in 2005 in New York City.

      Desiree continued to hone her skills playing venues around New England in open mic jams where she was discovered by bassist Doug Wimbish who invited her to share the stage with his band Living Colour in New Haven, CT and to perform and to perform at his annual Wimbash in Hartford which eventually led into the exposure of what the music industry was really all about. Throughout the years, she has performed with many outstanding and renowned musicians including Andy Aledort, Geraldo Velez, Jeff Baxter “Skunk”, members of The Allman Brothers Band, Sammy Hagar, Ted Nugent , Marshall Tucker Band, Foghat, Barry Goudreau (formerly of the band Boston), and many more. With the explosion of the social media world, Desiree quickly became world-known through videos of her performances on MySpace, Facebook and YouTube throughout the years.

      Desiree’ currently has 3 albums out (Power & ForcePower & Force II and A Bit Above) and has performed on a few tours major tours:

  • Cirque du Soleil’s Michael Jackson the IMMORTAL World Tour (2011-2014) which featured some of Michael Jackson’s original band members and has gone around 27 different countries in 141 cities with over 500 performances, hitting the box offices of being the 7th highest grossing tour of over $374 million.
  • Blue Moon Tour with world renowned drummer Stacey Lamont Sydnor and world famous bassist Linley Marthe that took place in Europe in 4 different countries. 
  • Jane Zhang’s Bang The World Concert that featured two concerts in Jane’s hometown Chengdu, China. One concert featuring a very electrifying show of dance, pop, and electronic and another concert Jane Zhang and Friends that performed with a 90 piece orchestra and had featured world famous artists such as Chris Botti and John Legend.
  • The Legacy Tour featuring William Hall that is a totally dedicated, emotionally powerful driven show that tributes to the all time favorite Michael Jackson. The tour took place in Australia from May – July of 2016 and August – October of 2017 and Germany from September – October of 2016 and is still currently touring around the world.

      Currently, Desiree’ still continues to tour around the world and is currently touring with a successful hybrid performance duo act called “Team Ragoza” alongside her husband DJ Ragoza.

Band Members