Bill Prince

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SimmonsTrombone
Posts: 174
Joined: Jul 24, 2018

by SimmonsTrombone »

Multi-instrumentalist Bill Prince has a book out - I suppose you'd call it a memoir - Music Is My Ticket. It covers his life growing up in Detroit, his time with the NORAD band, Pee Wee Hunt, Billy Maxted, etc., and then his time creating the jazz departments at Florida International University and the University of North Florida.

I've never met the man, but the book was interesting to me. Available on Amazon.

https://amzn.to/2RwRRCq
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Doug_Elliott
Posts: 4155
Joined: Mar 22, 2018

by Doug_Elliott »

I know a guy who grew up with him in Detroit. He is definitely a legend. I'm ordering it, and some extras for gifts.
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BrassedOn
Posts: 122
Joined: Aug 23, 2018

by BrassedOn »

I’ve heard him play and met him at UNF. When he was ready to unleash his genius, he made a funny gesture and then really let us have it. Killed it on piano with Rich Matteson. He’s the real deal.

Thanks for the heads up.
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timbone
Posts: 240
Joined: Apr 30, 2018

by timbone »

I've known Bill for years and played a lot of gigs with him. He's a great writer also and has done a couple of big band albums with him playing everything except drumset and bass trombone. For bass trombone he substitutes bass clarinet! Apparently he was given the option to play ride trumpet or lead alto for Buddy Rich. He was also in the Sammy Spear orchestra which was the house band for the live Jackie Gleason show from Miami some of you may remember. he told me playing Jackies birthday parties were three day events!
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SimmonsTrombone
Posts: 174
Joined: Jul 24, 2018

by SimmonsTrombone »

He includes Gleason in the book. Great stories.