By Beth Braswell
The 2026-2027 season marks James K. Bass’ first as the artistic director of Seraphic Fire and will feature a creative variety of exceptional music in seven monthly programs from ‘Blue Notes’ in November – featuring a jazz combo and the classical jazz tunes you know and love – to the wildly popular Christmas concert, and the all-men’s chorus in January.
Bass’ connection to Seraphic Fire started almost 25 years ago in their very first season. While working on his doctoral degree in conducting at the University of Miami, Bass ran across a flyer that read— If you’re interested in singing, call this number. In his cargo shorts and baseball cap, he showed up, sang a “Jephtha” oratorio excerpt and was invited to stay for that night’s rehearsal. “I knew right away that Seraphic Fire was something special,” said Bass. “It was a very unique set of singers. After rehearsal, we would have dinner and hang out together. It’s like old home week when we fly in for performances. As soon as we start to make music together, the familiarity sets in. The second sense we have about each other is other-worldly.”
As time passed, Bass became chorus master and, eventually, associate conductor, helping to prepare the chorus and conduct unique programs. In preparation for their 24th season, Patrick Dupre Quigley, Seraphic Fire’s founding artistic director, literally passed the baton to Bass. Bass responded, “I am deeply honored to lead an organization that has essentially led me for the majority of my life.”
Bass did not grow up around music. “I am the most unlikely person to head a major choral group and hold a professorship at UCLA. My father was a truck driver and my mother received her high school diploma when she was 40.” However, as a youngster, he heard a performance by the Florida Orchestra—there was an instant connection and a resulting dedication to his music education and career path. Fast-forward to today, Bass is director of choral studies at UCLA’s Herb Alpert School of Music in addition to his commitment as artistic director of Seraphic Fire.
Bass has put together a diverse group of programs this season that expand the outreach of Seraphic Fire. “The quality of sound that our singers produce creates highly memorable experiences for our audiences,” said Bass. “Our November performances of ‘Blue Notes’ feature the jazz sounds of Ella Fitzgerald, Nat King Cole, and Etta James. We’re recreating the jazz club atmosphere with our onstage jazz combo, cocktail tables, and intimate lighting. You’ll hear rich and unexpected harmonies like you’ve never heard before, especially with the blues.”
Seraphic Fire tickets for ‘Blue Notes’ concerts on November 19-22, 2026 are available at seraphicfire.org or by calling 305-985-9060. Nov. 19 – Naples, Nov. 20 – Coral Gables, Nov. 21 – Ft. Lauderdale, Nov. 22 – Boca Raton.
