Joseph Guastafeste

Joseph Guastafeste (1930–2023) served as principal bassist of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra for 49 years, from 1961 to 2010. Born in Brooklyn to Italian immigrants, he studied at Juilliard on scholarship and played with the New Orleans and Dallas symphonies before joining the CSO. In retirement, he pursued painting, sculpture, and hiking on his North Woods property near Baudette, Minnesota. Basshenge, unveiled in 2001, stands as his most ambitious artistic creation outside of music.