Bill Stevens (trumpet and flugelhorn) received a Bachelor of Music degree in Music Education from Fredonia State University in 1978 and a Masters degree in Jazz Studies from the University of Miami in 1980. Bill has performed professionally in Miami, Florida; upstate New York; New York City, San Francisco and Seattle, Washington. He has toured with Billy Eckstine, Earl ‘fatha’ Hines, Ira Sullivan, Julian Priester, Spyro Gyra and ensembles under his own name including currently the Bill Stevens Quintet and the Bill Stevens, Rich Russo, Gary Fogel Trio. Bill has been the recipient of performance and composition grants from the Seattle Arts Commission and the National Endowment for the Humanities. Since 1990, in New York City, Bill has performed in various Jazz clubs, festivals and music conferences. He has studied with Elliott Topalian, Herbert W. Harp, Philip Johnson, Randy Brecker, Jack Walrath, Laurie Frink and with bassist Joe Solomon. In the 1990’s he received a Masters in Education Administration from New York University and is currently the Assistant Principal-Administration/Organization and the Supervisor of Performing Arts studios, as well as the Director of Jazz Studies at the Frank Sinatra School of the Arts in Astoria, Queens. Bill Stevens lives in New York City with his wife Laura and their son Miles.
Resume:
EDUCATION:
September 1992 to May 1994
Master of Arts Education Administration
New York University, New York City
School Administration and Supervision
School District Administration
August 1979 to December 1980
Master of Music - Jazz Pedagogy
University of Miami, Coral Gables, Florida
August 1974 to May 1978
Bachelor of Music - Music Education
State University of New York at Fredonia, New York
EDUCATOR:
July 2005 to Present
Assistant Principal Administration/Organization
Supervisor of Performing Arts Studios
Director of Jazz Studies
Frank Sinatra School of the Arts, New York City
1973 to Present - Private Instructor
Trumpet - all levels
Jazz Improvisation - all instruments
Composition and Modern Arranging Techniques
HONORS:
2008
Artist Share Participant in the Learning Community Project.
Composition “Full Circle” selected by the Learning Community Project Quintet for their Artist Share release “Perfect Strangers” by Todd Coolman
2007
Jazz Improv Live Convention, Performer, New York City
2006
International Association of Jazz Educators
2005
Selected by Jazz Improv Magazine for the Annual Brass Directory
1990
National Endowment for the Humanities, Commissioned the composition, “Flip of the Coin”
1987
“New Jazz, New City”, Seattle Arts Commission and Earshot Jazz - Performer, Seattle, WA.
1986 to 1987
Seattle Arts Commission Grant, Commissioned the “Suite for Jazz Quintet"
PRIVATE STUDY:
1972 – 1974 Elliot Topalian, Syracuse, N.Y.
1974 – 1976 Herbert Winters Harp, Fredonia, N.Y.
1979 – 1980 Gilbert Johnson, Miami, FL.
1987 – 1988 Randy Brecker, New York City
1988 Jack Walrath, New York City
1999 – 2009 Joe Solomon, New York City
2005 – Present Laurie Frink, New York City
PERFORMANCE EXPERIENCE:
Musician, Composer and Arranger
Have performed in concert, toured and in recording sessions in several United States cities including Miami, San Francisco, Seattle and New York with local and internationally known artists including: Billy Eckstein and Earl “fatha” Hines, Spyro Gyra, Ira Sullivan, Dee Daniels and Julian Priester. Currently performing in New York City with the Bill Stevens Quintet and the Bill Stevens, Rich Russo, Gary Fogel Trio.