Bio

In the Washington, DC area, pianist Bill Harris is a jazz favorite. Bill is listed in Washingtonian Magazine’s "Best of Jazz in DC" and is winner of the Hennessy Cognac “Best of DC Jazz Competition”. His many performance venues include the Smithsonian, Blues Alley, the World Bank, the IMAX JAZZ Café, the Jazz Bakery in Los Angeles, Snug Harbor in New Orleans and numerous jazz festivals. Bill’s musical direction for the Smithsonian’s Museum of Natural History IMAX JAZZ Café helped launch the successful inaugural year of the venue.

His compact discs titled "Invitation", "Solo + One", "Encompass Quartet" (Albert "Tootie" Heath is featured) and "Holiday Improvisations" have all received critical acclaim.

Bill Harris is originally from Long Island, NY and has resided in the DC metro area since 1965. He started piano studies in Acton, MA in 1963 and continued with numerous teachers including local masters John Eaton and Les Karr. He also attended jazz piano master classes in New York City taught by jazz legend Barry Harris.

Bill’s other major influences include Bill Evans, Tommy Flanagan, Wynton Kelly, Reuben Brown, Fred Hersch, Cedar Walton, Hank Jones, Stanley Cowell, Red Garland, McCoy Tyner, Herbie Hancock, Art Tatum and Keith Jarrett, among others.

“Bill Harris is a master" – John Eaton

"An appealing combination of lucidity, logic and lyricism marks Harris's playing" - The Washington Post

*photo by Stuart Diekmeyer