Billy Byers
William Mitchell Byers (May 1, 1927 – May 1, 1996) was an American jazz trombonist and arranger.
Billy Byers | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | William Mitchell Byers |
| Born | May 1, 1927 Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Died | May 1, 1996 (aged 69) Malibu, California, U.S. |
| Genres | Jazz |
| Instruments | Trombone |
Early life Edit
Byers was born in Los Angeles on May 1, 1927.[1] He suffered from arthritis from a young age and was unable to continue his plans of a career as a pianist.[2]
Career Edit
Byers picked up trombone and played with Karl Kiffe before serving in the United States Army in 1944 and 1945.[3][2] In the second half of the 1940s he arranged and played trombone for Georgie Auld, Buddy Rich, Benny Goodman, Charlie Ventura, and Teddy Powell.[2] Following this he composed for WMGM (AM) radio and television in New York City.[2] In the middle of the 1950s he was in Paris arranging; he also led a session of his own, released as Jazz on the Left Bank, at this time.[1][2] Later in the 1950s in Europe he played with Harold Arlen (1959–1960) and with the orchestra of Quincy Jones.[2] He became Jones's assistant at Mercury Records in the 1960s, and arranged for Count Basie albums.[2] He also recorded some Duke Ellington standards on his own.[2] He toured Europe and Japan alongside Frank Sinatra in 1974.[2] Byers had extensive credits arranging and conducting for film,[2] and won the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Orchestrations for City of Angels.[4]
Personal life Edit
Byers died in Malibu, California, on May 1, 1996.[1] Material from his career is held by the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C.[1]
Discography Edit
As leader/co-leader Edit
- The Jazz Workshop (RCA Victor, 1955)
- New Sounds in Swing (Jazztone, 1956) with Joe Newman - also released as Byers' Guide
- Jazz on the Left Bank (Epic, 1956) with Martial Solal
- Impressions of Duke Ellington (Mercury, 1961)
As sideman Edit
With Count Basie
- More Hits of the 50's and 60's (Verve, 1963) - as arranger and conductor
- Pop Goes the Basie (Reprise, 1965) - as arranger and conductor
- Basie Swingin' Voices Singin' (ABC-Paramount, 1966) with the Alan Copeland Singers
With Bob Brookmeyer
- Gloomy Sunday and Other Bright Moments (Verve, 1961)
With Al Cohn
- Mr. Music (RCA Victor, 1955)
With Billy Eckstine
- The Golden Hits of Billy Eckstine (Mercury, 1963) - as arranger
With Coleman Hawkins
- The Hawk in Hi Fi (RCA Victor, 1956) - as arranger and conductor
With Al Jarreau
- Breakin' Away (Warner Bros., 1981) - as arranger
With J. J. Johnson
- Goodies (RCA Victor, 1965) as arranger/conductor
With Quincy Jones
- The Birth of a Band! (Mercury, 1959)
- Quincy Jones Explores the Music of Henry Mancini (Mercury, 1964)
- Golden Boy (Mercury, 1964)
- Quincy Plays for Pussycats (Mercury, 1959-65 [1965])
- The Great Wide World of Quincy Jones (Mercury, 1959)
With Lee Konitz
- You and Lee (Verve, 1959)
With Jack McDuff
- Prelude (Prestige, 1963)
With Gary McFarland
With Hal McKusick
- Triple Exposure (Prestige, 1957)
With Carmen McRae
- Something to Swing About (Kapp, 1959)
With Joe Newman
- I Feel Like a Newman (Storyville, 1956)
With Lalo Schifrin
- Music from Mission: Impossible (Dot, 1967)
With Bud Shank
- Windmills of Your Mind (Pacific Jazz, 1969)
With Charlie Shavers
- Excitement Unlimited (Capitol, 1963)
With Julius Watkins
- French Horns for My Lady (Philips, 1962) - as arranger
With Andy Williams
- Under Paris Skies (Cadence Records, 1960)
With Cootie Williams
- Cootie Williams in Hi-Fi (RCA Victor, 1958)
With Kai Winding
- Kai Olé (Verve, 1961)
With Frank Zappa
- The Grand Wazoo (1972)
- Waka/Jawaka (1972)
References Edit
- ^ a b c d Flanagan, David (2003), Byers, Billy (William Mitchell), Grove Music Online. Oxford Music Online. Oxford University Press, doi:10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.article.J070400
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j Wynn, Ron. "Billy Byers". AllMusic. Retrieved December 5, 2018.
- ^ "They Have a Monopoly on Talent, Plus! Children of Dr. and Mrs. Byers". The Van Nuys News and Valley Green Sheet. May 1, 1942. p. 15. Retrieved January 24, 2022.
- ^ "City of Angels". playbill.com. Retrieved December 5, 2018.
Further reading Edit
- "Billy Byers Wins Juvenile Role in Community Play". Van Nuys News and Valley Green Sheet. March 6, 1941. p. 11
- "Conducts Class". Los Angeles Evening Citizen News. July 19, 1941. p. 11
- Markham, Jeanie (November 6, 1942). "Campus Gad-About; Musically Speaking". The Van Nuys News and Valley Green Sheet. p. 13
- McIver, Don L. (June 24, 1956). "Billy Byers Hits Mark as Composer, Arranger". Fort Lauderdale News. p. 58.
- Green, Benny (May 14, 1996). "Jazz's Constant Horn". The Guardian. p. 16.