After years of performing on renowned stages in Los Angeles, New York and Italy, Somers Point native Josh Bassett is coming home. On Thursday, Aug. 20, Gateway Playhouse will present “Jersey Magick Featuring Bassett,” a one-night-only fundraising concert at the Gateway that celebrates original music, lifelong friendships and the enduring spirit of South Jersey’s community.
More than a concert, Jersey Magick is both a homecoming and a fundraiser. Bassett is donating proceeds from the evening to the Gateway, giving back to the theater and community that helped shape his musical journey.
Raised in Somers Point, Bassett graduated from Mainland Regional High School, followed by jazz guitar studies at the University of Miami. He then headed west to pursue a career in rock music, eventually establishing himself in Los Angeles while also spending time creating and recording in Italy. Although trained as a guitarist and composer, Bassett found his true artistic identity through songwriting and singing, blending sophisticated musicianship with the raw energy of classic rock.
“Rock music gives people permission to go beyond their limits,” Bassett said. “When I’m on stage, I want people to feel free to let go, reconnect with themselves and experience something bigger than everyday life. That’s what Jersey Magick is all about.”
Throughout his career, Bassett has performed at legendary venues including the Whisky a Go Go, the Viper Room, House of Blues, Rockwood Music Hall and other iconic stages in Los Angeles and New York. He has performed with Steven Tyler and Aerosmith and continues to collaborate with notable musicians, including Leon Hendrix, brother of Jimi Hendrix, while focusing on releasing new material under his solo project.
After becoming a father and overcoming a vocal illness that temporarily threatened his music career, Bassett experienced a creative rebirth. Immersing himself in new recording technology, production techniques and songwriting, he emerged with a fresh body of original work that marks a new chapter in his career. The Gateway performance will showcase that evolution.
The first act opens with Bassett’s new solo project which features his original rock music performed with modern samplers, sequencers and electronic production. The second act is a reunion of South Jersey musicians who inspired and performed alongside him during his early years, celebrating the friendships and shared musical roots that began in local schools, festivals and bands.
Among the musicians joining Bassett are bassist Drew Murphy, fellow Mainland Regional High School drumline alumni Joe Mintz and Ken Strazzeri, along with members of the popular South Jersey band Revolver, including Jim Kelley and Steve Kyle. Additional guest performers are expected throughout the evening.
“Having Josh come home to perform on the Gateway stage feels especially meaningful because we’ve known each other since our high school days,” said Gateway Playhouse Board President Katie Calvi. “To see someone who grew up in this community build a career on legendary stages and then choose to give back by supporting the Gateway says so much about the kind of person he is. Jersey Magick is more than a concert—it’s a celebration of our hometown’s incredible musical talent, the friendships that shaped us and the importance of keeping the arts thriving for the next generation.”
For Bassett, the title Jersey Magick reflects something deeply personal.
“I’ve always believed there’s a special energy here,” he said. “There’s something about the ocean, the woods and the people of South Jersey that stays with you wherever you go. Music lets us tap into that feeling. My hope is that everyone who comes experiences that magic together.”
Concertgoers will also have access to exclusive event merchandise, including limited-edition shirts created specifically for the Gateway performance. Bassett will also offer newly restored recordings from his teenage years, originally captured on four-track cassette, giving fans a rare glimpse into the earliest stages of his songwriting career.
Local businesses including Primo Pizza and Charlie’s Bar are supporting the event. Doors open at 7 p.m. on Aug. 20, with a pre-show gathering before the concert begins at 8 p.m. Tickets are $27 and can be purchased at GatewayByTheBay.org. The Gateway is located at 738 Bay Ave., Somers Point. For more information, go to JoshBassett.com or follow @BassettMusic on Instagram.
