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Bill Prince

Posted: Mon Nov 05, 2018 12:23 pm
by SimmonsTrombone
Multi-instrumentalist Bill Prince has a book out - I suppose you'd call it a memoir - Music Is My Ticket. It covers his life growing up in Detroit, his time with the NORAD band, Pee Wee Hunt, Billy Maxted, etc., and then his time creating the jazz departments at Florida International University and the University of North Florida.
I've never met the man, but the book was interesting to me. Available on Amazon.
https://amzn.to/2RwRRCq

Re: Bill Prince

Posted: Mon Nov 05, 2018 7:04 pm
by Doug Elliott
I know a guy who grew up with him in Detroit. He is definitely a legend. I'm ordering it, and some extras for gifts.

Re: Bill Prince

Posted: Tue Nov 06, 2018 6:22 am
by BrassedOn
I’ve heard him play and met him at UNF. When he was ready to unleash his genius, he made a funny gesture and then really let us have it. Killed it on piano with Rich Matteson. He’s the real deal.

Thanks for the heads up.

Re: Bill Prince

Posted: Tue Nov 13, 2018 10:01 am
by timbone
I've known Bill for years and played a lot of gigs with him. He's a great writer also and has done a couple of big band albums with him playing everything except drumset and bass trombone. For bass trombone he substitutes bass clarinet! Apparently he was given the option to play ride trumpet or lead alto for Buddy Rich. He was also in the Sammy Spear orchestra which was the house band for the live Jackie Gleason show from Miami some of you may remember. he told me playing Jackies birthday parties were three day events!

Re: Bill Prince

Posted: Wed Nov 14, 2018 4:06 am
by SimmonsTrombone
He includes Gleason in the book. Great stories.