Country

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United States of America

Birth

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February 5, 1944 in Sacramento, CA

Genre

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Film

 

 

Keyboard

 

Bill Mays is a renowned American jazz pianist, composer, and arranger who has made significant contributions to the world of classical music. Born on November 4, 1944, in Sacramento, California, Mays grew up in a musical family and started playing the piano at the age of four. His father was a jazz drummer, and his mother was a classical pianist, which exposed him to both genres of music from an early age. Mays began his formal music education at the age of seven, studying classical piano with his mother. He later attended the University of North Texas, where he studied jazz piano and composition. During his time at the university, Mays played in the One O'Clock Lab Band, the school's premier jazz ensemble, and gained valuable experience performing with some of the best jazz musicians in the country. After graduating from the University of North Texas, Mays moved to New York City to pursue a career in music. He quickly established himself as a versatile and talented pianist, working with a wide range of musicians and performing in various settings. He played with jazz legends such as Benny Golson, Gerry Mulligan, and Sarah Vaughan, as well as classical musicians like Itzhak Perlman and Yo-Yo Ma. Mays' career as a composer and arranger also took off during this time. He wrote music for television shows, films, and commercials, and arranged music for artists such as Frank Sinatra, Barbra Streisand, and Tony Bennett. His work as an arranger earned him a Grammy nomination in 1984 for his arrangement of "All of Me" for the album "The Art of Excellence" by Tony Bennett. In addition to his work as a performer and arranger, Mays has also made significant contributions to the world of classical music. He has written numerous works for orchestra, chamber ensembles, and solo piano, and his compositions have been performed by orchestras around the world. Some of his most notable works include "Concerto for Jazz Piano and Orchestra," "Suite for Piano and String Quartet," and "Three American Pieces for Violin and Piano." Mays has also been recognized for his contributions to the world of classical music. In 2008, he was awarded the Distinguished Alumni Award from the University of North Texas College of Music, and in 2012, he was inducted into the Sacramento Jazz Hall of Fame. He has also received numerous grants and commissions for his work as a composer, including a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts. Throughout his career, Mays has continued to perform and record as a jazz pianist, releasing over 20 albums as a leader and appearing on countless others as a sideman. He has been praised for his technical proficiency, his ability to blend jazz and classical music, and his unique approach to improvisation. Some of Mays' most notable performances include his appearances at the Monterey Jazz Festival, the Newport Jazz Festival, and the Montreux Jazz Festival. He has also performed at some of the world's most prestigious concert halls, including Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, and the Hollywood Bowl. In recent years, Mays has continued to tour and record, collaborating with a wide range of musicians and exploring new musical territories. He has also continued to write and arrange music, and his compositions and arrangements have been featured on numerous recordings. In conclusion, Bill Mays is a highly accomplished and versatile musician who has made significant contributions to the world of classical music.

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