During his long career, Jim became internationally known through his contributions to piano teaching, composing, writing, adjudication, and performing. In 1999, The Music Teachers National Association presented Jim and Jane with the Lifetime Achievement Award, the association's highest honor, in recognition of their outstanding career in music and contribution to the music profession.

Kjos Music Company since 1963 and are now translated into 14 languages. The Bastien piano books have been published worldwide by the Neil A.

This was the beginning of the Bastien piano books that have inspired so many piano students and teachers. During this time Jim and Jane started writing music to address the needs of their students. In addition, he was a Columbia Artist accompanist whose collaborative career included appearances with Richard Tucker and John Alexander. They performed as the duo-piano team, Smisor and Bastien. James Bastien met his wife Jane Smisor in New Orleans in 1960. James Bastien was a former member of the faculties of Notre Dame University, Tulane University, Loyola University (New Orleans), and the summer faculties of Tanglewood and the National Music Camp at Interlochen, Michigan. He received his undergraduate and masters degrees from Southern Methodist University. Subsequently, he studied with the late Ariel Rubstein, the late Louis Artau, and the late György Sándor. After living in Seattle and Florida, the family moved to Portland, Oregon, where James began his piano studies with Frances Mulkey North. Bastien, was born to a musical father, Clarence, who played the violin, and to a mother, Dorothy, who was a writer and a high school Latin and journalism instructor. Subsequently, he studied with the late The American piano pedagogue and musician, James (Jim) W.

The American piano pedagogue and musician, James (Jim) W.

Bastien piano basics primer b