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William Easley
Born on 1-13-1946. He was born in Olean, New York.
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William R. (Bill) Easley was born on January 13, 1946 in Olean, New York. His parents were Lois Barnes Easley (an uncrowned queen) and Robert W. Easley (an uncrowned king). William is the youngest child and only son of the Easleys. He had six older sisters, Lois J. (deceased), Lorna R., Marian D. (deceased), Carol J., Madeline O. and Charlotte L.
Bill started wood wind music lessons in the fourth grade. He graduated from Olean High School in 1964 where he played in the high school symphony and marching bands, ran track and was a running back on the school football team. After graduation from high school, Bill moved to New York City. He attended Julliard School of Music part time while getting his feet wet in the uptown Jazz Scene. In later years he continued his studies at Memphis State University. In 1965 he was drafted into the army during the Vietnam War. After basic training he was sent to Fairbanks, Alaska to play with the 9th Army Band.
Bill has had a diversified career, as a professional musician. He joined musicians union, Local 115, in 1959, so 2009 marked the 50th year of his professional career. Bill represents the fourth generation of a family dedicated to music. Bill started playing professionally with his parents, Robert and Lois Easley, at the age of thirteen. The Bob Easley Combo played country clubs, dances, and night clubs in and around his hometown of Olean, New York. This early experience gave him the foundation on which to build a long and rewarding career.
Easley joined The George Benson Quartet in January of 1968 and traveled with the great guitarist for the remainder of the decade. This band worked in such legendary jazz spots as Minton's Playhouse in New York City, The Plugged Nickel in Chicago, The Jazz Workshop in Boston, and The Hurricane in Pittsburgh.
After a brief residence in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Easley followed his instincts to Memphis, Tenn. In Memphis he did a variety of things including: performing and recording with Isaac Hayes, other studio work, big bands, show bands, and jazz clubs. He also continued his formal education at Memphis State University. It was in the mid 1970s that Easley first toured with the Duke Ellington Orchestra under the direction of Mercer Ellington. In January of 1980 Bill moved back to New York City, with the promise of a job on Broadway.
His Broadway Credits include; Sophisticated Ladies, The Wiz, Black and Blue, Jellyââ?¬â?¢s Last Jam, Swingin' On A Star, Play On, Fosse, and most recently, The Wild Party.
The years are filled with wonderful experiences with such notables as George Benson, Ruth Brown, Isaac Hayes, Jimmy Smith, Jimmy McGriff, Bobby Short, Louie Bellson, Nicholas Payton, Charles McPhearson, James Williams, Sir Roland Hanna, Earl May, Illinois Jaquett, Ron Carter, Frank Foster, Mercer Ellington, Warren Vache', Panama Francis and Grady Tate among many others.
In addition to his extensive discography as a sideman, he also has five recordings as a leader; Wind Inventions, First Call, Easley Said, Business Man's Bounce and Hearing Voices. His arsenal of woodwind instruments includes; Tenor, Alto and Soprano Saxophones, Clarinet, and Bass Clarinet, Flute, Alto Flute and piccolo.
Bill was a part of the Jazz Repertory Movement, playing in The American Jazz Orchestra (John Lewis); The Smithsonian Jazz Orchestra (David Baker); and The Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra (Wynton Marsalis). He was a guest soloist with The Carnegie Hall Jazz Orchestra (Jon Faddis) in its tribute to Benny Goodman on November 21, 1993.
St. Bonaventure University, which is near Olean, New York presented its first Regina Quick Arts Award to Bill Easley on April 19, 1997. The Bill Easley Quartet returned to St. Bonaventure University to play for a packed house at the Regina A. Quick Arts Center for the Performing Arts on April 29, 2006.
The last ten years have been spent doing a combination of all the fore mentioned activities; working on Broadway, recording, touring, teaching, and playing with the finest musicians in the world.
Bill is the father of Brent, Arika and Jeffrey and the grandfather of Kennedy and William.
Bill started woodwind music lessons in the fourth grade. He graduated from Olean High School in 1964 where he played in the high school symphony and marching bands, ran track, and was a running back on the school football team. After graduation from high school, Bill moved to New York City. He attended Julliard School of Music part time while getting his feet wet in the uptown Jazz Scene. In later years, he continued his studies at Memphis State University. In 1965 he was drafted into the army during the Vietnam War. After basic training he was sent to Fairbanks, Alaska to play with the 9th Army Band.~2010_03_28_16_26_40~~Bill has had a diversified career, as a professional musician. He joined musicians union, Local 115, in 1959, so 2009 marked the 50th year of his professional career. Bill represents the fourth generation of a family dedicated to music. Bill started playing professionally with his parents, Robert and Lois Easley, at the age of thirteen. The Bob Easley Combo played country clubs, dances, and night clubs in and around his hometown of Olean, New York. This early experience gave him the foundation on which to build a long and rewarding career.
Easley joined The George Benson Quartet in January of 1968 and traveled with the great guitarist for the remainder of the decade. This band worked in such legendary jazz spots as Minton's Playhouse in New York City, The Plugged Nickel in Chicago, The Jazz Workshop in Boston, and The Hurricane in Pittsburgh.
After a brief residence in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Easley followed his instincts to Memphis, Tenn. In Memphis he did a variety of things including[colon] performing and recording with Isaac Hayes, other studio work, big bands, show bands, and jazz clubs. He also continued his formal education at Memphis State University. It was in the mid 1970s that Easley first toured with the Duke Ellington Orchestra under the direction of Mercer Ellington. In January of 1980 Bill moved back to New York City, with the promise of a job on Broadway.~none~~His Broadway Credits include[semiColon] Sophisticated Ladies, The Wiz, Black and Blue, Jelly's Last Jam, Swingin' On A Star, Play On, Fosse, and most recently, The Wild Party.
The years are filled with wonderful experiences with such notables as George Benson, Ruth Brown, Isaac Hayes, Jimmy Smith, Jimmy McGriff, Bobby Short, Louie Bellson, Nicholas Payton, Charles McPhearson, James Williams, Sir Roland Hanna, Earl May, Illinois Jaquett, Ron Carter, Frank Foster, Mercer Ellington, Warren Vache', Panama Francis and Grady Tate among many others.
In addition to his extensive discography as a sideman, he also has five recordings as a leader[semiColon] Wind Inventions, First Call, Easley Said, Business Man's Bounce and Hearing Voices. His arsenal of woodwind instruments includes[semiColon] Tenor, Alto and Soprano Saxophones, Clarinet, and Bass Clarinet, Flute, Alto Flute and piccolo.
Bill was a part of the Jazz Repertory Movement, playing in The American Jazz Orchestra (John Lewis)[semiColon] The Smithsonian Jazz Orchestra (David Baker)[semiColon] and The Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra (Wynton Marsalis). He was a guest soloist with The Carnegie Hall Jazz Orchestra (Jon Faddis) in its tribute to Benny Goodman on November 21, 1993.~none~~St. Bonaventure University, which is near Olean, New York presented its first Regina Quick Arts Award to Bill Easley on April 19, 1997. The Bill Easley Quartet returned to St. Bonaventure University to play for a packed house at the Regina A. Quick Arts Center for the Performing Arts on April 29, 2006.
The last ten years have been spent doing a combination of all the fore mentioned activities[semiColon] working on Broadway, recording, touring, teaching, and playing with the finest musicians in the world.
Bill is the father of Brent, Arika and Jeffrey and the grandfather of Kennedy and William.~none
Bill started wood wind music lessons in the fourth grade. He graduated from Olean High School in 1964 where he played in the high school symphony and marching bands, ran track and was a running back on the school football team. After graduation from high school, Bill moved to New York City. He attended Julliard School of Music part time while getting his feet wet in the uptown Jazz Scene. In later years he continued his studies at Memphis State University. In 1965 he was drafted into the army during the Vietnam War. After basic training he was sent to Fairbanks, Alaska to play with the 9th Army Band.
Bill has had a diversified career, as a professional musician. He joined musicians union, Local 115, in 1959, so 2009 marked the 50th year of his professional career. Bill represents the fourth generation of a family dedicated to music. Bill started playing professionally with his parents, Robert and Lois Easley, at the age of thirteen. The Bob Easley Combo played country clubs, dances, and night clubs in and around his hometown of Olean, New York. This early experience gave him the foundation on which to build a long and rewarding career.
Easley joined The George Benson Quartet in January of 1968 and traveled with the great guitarist for the remainder of the decade. This band worked in such legendary jazz spots as Minton's Playhouse in New York City, The Plugged Nickel in Chicago, The Jazz Workshop in Boston, and The Hurricane in Pittsburgh.
After a brief residence in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Easley followed his instincts to Memphis, Tenn. In Memphis he did a variety of things including: performing and recording with Isaac Hayes, other studio work, big bands, show bands, and jazz clubs. He also continued his formal education at Memphis State University. It was in the mid 1970s that Easley first toured with the Duke Ellington Orchestra under the direction of Mercer Ellington. In January of 1980 Bill moved back to New York City, with the promise of a job on Broadway.
His Broadway Credits include; Sophisticated Ladies, The Wiz, Black and Blue, Jellyââ?¬â?¢s Last Jam, Swingin' On A Star, Play On, Fosse, and most recently, The Wild Party.
The years are filled with wonderful experiences with such notables as George Benson, Ruth Brown, Isaac Hayes, Jimmy Smith, Jimmy McGriff, Bobby Short, Louie Bellson, Nicholas Payton, Charles McPhearson, James Williams, Sir Roland Hanna, Earl May, Illinois Jaquett, Ron Carter, Frank Foster, Mercer Ellington, Warren Vache', Panama Francis and Grady Tate among many others.
In addition to his extensive discography as a sideman, he also has five recordings as a leader; Wind Inventions, First Call, Easley Said, Business Man's Bounce and Hearing Voices. His arsenal of woodwind instruments includes; Tenor, Alto and Soprano Saxophones, Clarinet, and Bass Clarinet, Flute, Alto Flute and piccolo.
Bill was a part of the Jazz Repertory Movement, playing in The American Jazz Orchestra (John Lewis); The Smithsonian Jazz Orchestra (David Baker); and The Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra (Wynton Marsalis). He was a guest soloist with The Carnegie Hall Jazz Orchestra (Jon Faddis) in its tribute to Benny Goodman on November 21, 1993.
St. Bonaventure University, which is near Olean, New York presented its first Regina Quick Arts Award to Bill Easley on April 19, 1997. The Bill Easley Quartet returned to St. Bonaventure University to play for a packed house at the Regina A. Quick Arts Center for the Performing Arts on April 29, 2006.
The last ten years have been spent doing a combination of all the fore mentioned activities; working on Broadway, recording, touring, teaching, and playing with the finest musicians in the world.
Bill is the father of Brent, Arika and Jeffrey and the grandfather of Kennedy and William.
Bill started woodwind music lessons in the fourth grade. He graduated from Olean High School in 1964 where he played in the high school symphony and marching bands, ran track, and was a running back on the school football team. After graduation from high school, Bill moved to New York City. He attended Julliard School of Music part time while getting his feet wet in the uptown Jazz Scene. In later years, he continued his studies at Memphis State University. In 1965 he was drafted into the army during the Vietnam War. After basic training he was sent to Fairbanks, Alaska to play with the 9th Army Band.~2010_03_28_16_26_40~~Bill has had a diversified career, as a professional musician. He joined musicians union, Local 115, in 1959, so 2009 marked the 50th year of his professional career. Bill represents the fourth generation of a family dedicated to music. Bill started playing professionally with his parents, Robert and Lois Easley, at the age of thirteen. The Bob Easley Combo played country clubs, dances, and night clubs in and around his hometown of Olean, New York. This early experience gave him the foundation on which to build a long and rewarding career.
Easley joined The George Benson Quartet in January of 1968 and traveled with the great guitarist for the remainder of the decade. This band worked in such legendary jazz spots as Minton's Playhouse in New York City, The Plugged Nickel in Chicago, The Jazz Workshop in Boston, and The Hurricane in Pittsburgh.
After a brief residence in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Easley followed his instincts to Memphis, Tenn. In Memphis he did a variety of things including[colon] performing and recording with Isaac Hayes, other studio work, big bands, show bands, and jazz clubs. He also continued his formal education at Memphis State University. It was in the mid 1970s that Easley first toured with the Duke Ellington Orchestra under the direction of Mercer Ellington. In January of 1980 Bill moved back to New York City, with the promise of a job on Broadway.~none~~His Broadway Credits include[semiColon] Sophisticated Ladies, The Wiz, Black and Blue, Jelly's Last Jam, Swingin' On A Star, Play On, Fosse, and most recently, The Wild Party.
The years are filled with wonderful experiences with such notables as George Benson, Ruth Brown, Isaac Hayes, Jimmy Smith, Jimmy McGriff, Bobby Short, Louie Bellson, Nicholas Payton, Charles McPhearson, James Williams, Sir Roland Hanna, Earl May, Illinois Jaquett, Ron Carter, Frank Foster, Mercer Ellington, Warren Vache', Panama Francis and Grady Tate among many others.
In addition to his extensive discography as a sideman, he also has five recordings as a leader[semiColon] Wind Inventions, First Call, Easley Said, Business Man's Bounce and Hearing Voices. His arsenal of woodwind instruments includes[semiColon] Tenor, Alto and Soprano Saxophones, Clarinet, and Bass Clarinet, Flute, Alto Flute and piccolo.
Bill was a part of the Jazz Repertory Movement, playing in The American Jazz Orchestra (John Lewis)[semiColon] The Smithsonian Jazz Orchestra (David Baker)[semiColon] and The Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra (Wynton Marsalis). He was a guest soloist with The Carnegie Hall Jazz Orchestra (Jon Faddis) in its tribute to Benny Goodman on November 21, 1993.~none~~St. Bonaventure University, which is near Olean, New York presented its first Regina Quick Arts Award to Bill Easley on April 19, 1997. The Bill Easley Quartet returned to St. Bonaventure University to play for a packed house at the Regina A. Quick Arts Center for the Performing Arts on April 29, 2006.
The last ten years have been spent doing a combination of all the fore mentioned activities[semiColon] working on Broadway, recording, touring, teaching, and playing with the finest musicians in the world.
Bill is the father of Brent, Arika and Jeffrey and the grandfather of Kennedy and William.~none
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