Bill Mays Trio at The Sequoia Room

Just in time to celebrate Thelonious Monk’s 101st birthday, Pianist Bill Mays Trio with bassist John Wiitala & drummer Vince Lateano

Pianist Bill Mays’ career as a professional musician spans the last 55 years and includes a multitude of musical endeavors. Following four years as a bandsman in the U.S. Navy Bill spent 15 years as a session player in the Hollywood studios. In 1984 he re-located to New York City, firmly establishing himself as an in-demand sideman and leader of his own ensembles. He has worked with jazz legends Benny Golson, Shelly Manne, Red Mitchell, Gerry Mulligan, Bud Shank, Frank Sinatra, Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, Sarah Vaughan, and Phil Woods. His many recordings as a leader (solo, duo, trio and sextet) are well-documented on the Chiaroscuro, Concord, DMP, Palmetto, and Steeplechase record labels....

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Just in time to celebrate Thelonious Monk’s 101st birthday, Pianist Bill Mays Trio with bassist John Wiitala & drummer Vince Lateano

Pianist Bill Mays’ career as a professional musician spans the last 55 years and includes a multitude of musical endeavors. Following four years as a bandsman in the U.S. Navy Bill spent 15 years as a session player in the Hollywood studios. In 1984 he re-located to New York City, firmly establishing himself as an in-demand sideman and leader of his own ensembles. He has worked with jazz legends Benny Golson, Shelly Manne, Red Mitchell, Gerry Mulligan, Bud Shank, Frank Sinatra, Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, Sarah Vaughan, and Phil Woods. His many recordings as a leader (solo, duo, trio and sextet) are well-documented on the Chiaroscuro, Concord, DMP, Palmetto, and Steeplechase record labels.

Last year Mays received rave reviews with the publication of his first book, Stories Of The Road, The Studios, Sidemen & Singers: 55 Years In The Music Biz.

Awards and Honors:
• Arranger, pianist and producer on Grammy-nominated Bop For Kerouac (Mark Murphy/Muse)
• Pianist on Gold Album Paradise Cafe (Barry Manilow/Arista Records)
• “Talent Deserving Of Wider Recognition” in the piano category, Downbeat Magazine
• Nominated for “Most Valuable Player” Award, Los Angeles
• International Society of Bassists: “Friend Of The Bass”
• Performance grants from Meet The Composer, Mid-Atlantic Arts Foundation, N.E.A., PennPAT

“Mays was a commanding presence at the piano, rolling through lines that raised echoes of Earl Hines and Duke Ellington.”
John Wilson, New York Times

“Well-crafted, filled with intriguing melodic counter phrases, his choruses unfolded with the logic and the connectiveness of preconceived compositions.”
Don Heckman, Los Angeles Times

“One of the masters of color and touch among today’s pianists…”
Doug Ramsey, JazzTimes

“…supreme improvisational prowess.”
Jon Poses, Stereophile Magazine

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