BILL BERRY
Genres: Big Band, Swing, Classic (1920s) Jazz • United States

American Jazz musician, trumpeter, flugelhornist, vibraphone and cornet player, born 14 September 1930 in Benton Harbor, Michigan, USA, died 13 October 2002 in Los Angeles, California, USA. from discogs Bill Berry began leading big bands in the Los Angeles area in the early '70s, inspired by his years with Duke Ellington. After being discharged from the Air Force in 1955, he studied at the Cincinnati College of Music and Berklee. Berry worked in the big bands of Woody Herman and Maynard Ferguson before joining Ellington (1961-1964). After leaving Ellington, he was with the Thad Jones/Mel Lewis orchestra (1966-1968), led his own New York Big Band, and did studio work. After he moved to Los Angeles in 1971, Berry formed the L.A. Big Band, which he continued leading on a part-time basis for decades to come. He has also toured with Louie Bellson and been involved in the jazz education program run by read more...