The Sweet Basil, a jazz nonet, which is a 9-piece ensemble from Athens, will perform at 7:30 p.m. Friday in the Ohio University Southern Riffe Center Mains Rotunda.

The ensemble specializes in jazz and other popular American musical styles.

The group is comprised of Ohio University School of Music Faculty, retired music faculty, graduate students and alumni.

Ernie Bastin, leader of the ensemble, is a native of Clarksburg, W.Va., and received his bachelor of music degree from West Virginia University. He received his master of music degree from the University of Illinois.

Bastin retired as a professor of trumpet from Ohio University. He taught studio trumpet and directed both the trumpet and jazz ensembles for 42 years.

After six decades of playing or teaching trumpet, Bastin learned a new trade.

“After playing trumpet for 62 years and teaching trumpet, and jazz for 42 years, I have switched to valve trombone,” Bastin said. “My friends in the trumpet world would refer to my move to trombone as ‘moving to the dark side.’ Some, certainly not all of my trombone playing friends, think of my move to valve trombone as falling into a ‘black hole,’ as is found in outer space. Maybe one day I’ll learn slide technique and be legitimately acceptable. All I can say is that playing valve trombone is a joy.”

Other members of the ensemble include: Matt James, alto, soprano, flute; Alex Burgoyne, tenor, soprano; Kyle Slemmer, bari, clarinet; Ben Wright, trumpet; Mike Parkinson, trumpet; Caleb Miller, piano; Steven Heffner, bass; and Roger Braun, drums.

Sweet Basil jazz nonet performs music from Carole King’s “Tapestry” and the Beatle’s “With A Little Help From My Friends,” to Freddie Hubbard’s “Red Clay” and the New Orleans influenced John Scofield composition “Peculiar.” Sweet Basil performs jazz settings that range from straight ahead to funk, to the blues.

The concert is free and open to the public. Additional information is available at www.erniebastin.com/sweetbasil.