BIll Amey

Meet the Artist

Bill Amey has been writing, producing, and performing music since the age of 17. He is an accomplished multi-instrumentalist and his work life has included every genre of music from swing era music to jazz to R&B to rap. Bill has performed as a “side man” for a number of headline recording artists. Now he will be producing music for the new label, MOVE ON THE BEAT! Watch for the release party at the end of this year.

Educator

Mission Statement: Mr. Amey believes the pursuit of knowledge should be a life-long endeavor. After earning the Bachelor of Music Education from the University of North Carolina, School of Music, Mr. Amey began teaching in public and private schools in New York City and later, North Carolina.

Clinician: In addition, Bill has been a clinician at music camps up and down the east coast including the New York City Library, Brooklyn Academy of Music, Brooklyn Conservatory of Music, and Shepard Summer Clinic. The target audience is usually young people with a sincere love for music and its creation.

Not-For-Profit: Bill was a co-founder of the not-for-profit organization, Progressive Music Associates of Brooklyn, New York. The mission was to catalog, create and promote music of the big band and bebop eras. Other founders included writers and arrangers included musicians from the Basie Band, Lionel Hampton Jazz Band, and Dollar Brand.

Seminars: Jazz seminars offered through the New York City Public Library and the Brooklyn Conservatory of Music. Massachusetts Jazz Festival

Performer

While at the School of Music, Bill was privileged to work as a trombonist weekends with touring musical acts like Barbara Eden (“I Dream of Jeanie”), Aaron Purdie (drummer for James Brown), The Modulations (Buddah Records), Millie Jackson. Bill appeared with Barbara Eden (I Dream Of Jeannie), Millie Jackson, and other major acts traveling through North Carolina.

Upon graduation Bill relocated to New York where he gave most of his attention to the jazz idiom. Through Jazzmobile, a Manhattan-based summer study program, he was able to learn from the genius of jazz artists at the top of their profession. The tutelage of Slide Hampton, The Heath Brothers, Frank Foster, Cecil Payne, Dr. Billy Taylor and others redefined the scope of the music business for Bill.

Bill also met the world-famous trombonist that gave him inspiration to keep learning, Curtis Fuller. Bill studied privately with Mr. Fuller for years. It was through that network Bill was invited on the first international tour. The international superstar offering the opportunity was Hugh Maskela, South African trumpeter and later part of Nelson Mandela’s cabinet.

That tour opened the door to radio, television, and live performances with artists such as Cecil Payne, Bob Trowers, Wallace Roney, Steve Torre and Tom Harrell, to name a few. Whether playing in an orchestra, big band, jazz ensemble, or small group, Bill Amey continues to have things to say musically.

Career Highlights (credits in alphabetical order)

BALTIMORE’S BIG BAND, Baltimore, Maryland

Official jazz big band of the City of Baltimore having been in performance for over 25 years, 15 of which under the baton of Mr. Gene Walker.

BARBARA EDEN (I Dream of Jeannie), Hollywood, California

Member of full orchestra accompanying Ms. Eden’s Las Vegas-style act.

GEORGE COLEMAN, New York, New York

“Live” album, recorded with the Rutgers University Jazz Band under the direction of Dr. Paul Jeffries.

HUGH MASEKELA, New York, New York

Trombonist touring internationally as part of the Hugh Maskela sextet.

JOHN V. BROWN JR. JAZZ ORCHESTRA

Trombonist at inaugural performance under the baton of Frank Foster. Continued work with bands under the baton of John V. Brown, Jr.

MILLIE JACKSON, Atlanta, Georgia

Trombonist with North Carolina concert series promoting R & B record sales.

NUTONE RECORDS, Atlanta, Georgia

Executive producer / Producer of R&B vocal group singing in the R & B genre. Wrote and arranged all music. Rehearsed the act and supervised all recording sessions. Project successfully completed within budget and single released.

SETH CARPER BIG BAND

Performed as trombonist as part of Mr. Carper’s featured act.

STRUTT, New York, New York

Trombonist, vocalist, keyboardist and contributing writer for Brunswick Records. The group performed popular music boasting record sales in excess of 50,000 albums in the first

year. Toured major venues of the eastern United States opening for Roberta Flack, Kool and the Gang, The Tramps, etc.

TEMPTATIONS REVUE featuring Nate Evans

Trombonist on tour nationally with Mr. Evans, a Motown Temptation. U. S. -based concerts with the backup band, Chocolate Buttermilk.

TENOR CLEF, New York, New York

Joint project with world renown trombonist, Robert Trowers. Co-producer of jazz quintet performing nationally. Accomplishments include recordings with Curtis Fuller and Cecil Payne

UNION BAPTIST CHURCH, Durham, North Carolina