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LOCAL CREDITS TESTIMONIALS INSTRUMENTS BIOGRAPHY I'm a graduate of DePaul University, and I've been a performer, teacher and clinician for nearly thirty years. My jazz credits include work with Clark Terry, James Moody, Dizzy Gillespie, Max Roach, Kenny Burrell, Frank Wess, Bunky Green, Woody Herman Band, Joe Daley and many others. I have worked extensively in the Chicago theater, both in the pit and onstage as a musician and actor. Credits include the long running Always...Patsy Cline, Wicked, Showboat, Sunset Boulevard, Singin' In The Rain, Scrooge, Peter Pan, Sweet Charity, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, West Side Story, Camelot and the world premieres of The Visit and Bounce at Goodman Theatre. My teachers were Chicago Symphony Orchestra bassists Mark Kraemer and Warren Benfield and the legendary cellist Karl Fruh at Roosevelt University. I studied piano with Goldie Goloub, jazz theory with Alan Swain and arranging with Cliff Colnot. My teaching experience includes private lessons and coaching jazz ensembles at the American Conservatory of Music and at Chicago State University. As a clinician, I spent many summers at Clark Terry's Great Plains Jazz Camp, taught at the Saskatchewan Summer School for the Arts and did a week of master classes at the Montreux Jazz Festival as a member of the Bunky Green Quartet. Notable recordings include: Mood Swings (Peter Polzak and myself), Spirits in the Material World (Megon McDonough), Whatever We Imagine (Janice Borla), At Long Last (Tony Andriacchi), The Story So Far (Bill Harrison Quintet), ChicagoJazz (Roger Pemberton). I currently work as a freelance bassist in theatres, clubs, hotels and for private and corporate events. I have teaching studios in my home and in the Fine Arts Building in downtown Chicago. |
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LOCAL CREDITS
I've been fortunate to have worked with some of the area's finest musicians and orchestras, including: |
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Jackie Allen Tony Andriacchi Peter Ballin Patricia Barber Larry Beers Janice Borla Kelly Brand John Campbell LInda Clifford Mark Colby Rich Daniels Art Davis Tim Davis Ernie Denov Ron Dewar Frank Donaldson Frank D'Rone Josie Falbo Greg Fishman Johnny Frigo |
Rick Frigo Rich Fudoli Jim Gailloreto Phil Gratteau Ingrid Graudins Tim Green Fareed Haque Stu Hirsh Katherine Hughes Rusty Jones Jeremy Kahn Dennis Luxion Frank Mantooth Jim Massoth John McClean Megon McDonough Lisa McClowry Steve Million John Moulder Jack Mouse |
Dave Onderdonk Suzanne Palmer Greg Pasenko Marc Perlish Edward Petersen Willie PIckens Peter Polzak Spider Saloff Chris Sarlas Orchestra Bobby Schiff Fred Simon Ted Sirota Joel Spencer Don Stiernberg Jeff Stitely Joe Vito Mark Walker Jon Weber Paul Wertico Bradley Williams |
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TEACHING TESTIMONIALS The foundation of my playing is credited to my 4-5 years of study with Bill Harrison. His lessons encompassed not only the concept of bass playing but also brought about the understanding of full musicality: How a single note could shift the harmonic textures, the delay or anticipation of that note adding excitement to a solo or soloist, the "awareness" of time, managing of time in an ensemble and developing skills to move about not only on the bass, but to interact equally with each musician around him/or/herself. If I weren't so far away, I'd still be studying with him. — Edo Castro Solo Artist/Composer and Freelance Bassist in Berkeley CA www.edo801.net Bill always found a way to distill his many years of playing and study in succinct, palatable, tidbits that not only conveyed the appropriate information, but inspired as well... — Steven Reinfranck Professional Bassist and Instructor www.smrdoublebasses.com Bill Harrison is the ultimate player's teacher. He has a vast store of teaching techniques, which he uses to custom tailor lessons specifically to the needs of each student. So whether your goal is to become a great reader, nail music theory, or just make your playing more efficient and musical, Bill will help you get there. — Helena Bouchez Bassist, writer and purveyor of PR www.helenabouchez.blogspot.com Bill is an accomplished professional in constant demand in the greater Chicago area. However, he is also an ideal teacher. He has been endlessly patient with me as I work through various skills and concepts. He is innovative in his teaching methods - when one lesson or practice method doesn't help me master a skill, he'll come up with another approach. Finally, the highest praise I can give is that he has the best interests of the student in mind. When I come to a lesson, he has already considered my current level of knowledge and ability and what he might do to help me achieve my goals. Bill is one of the main reasons I have come as far as I have over the last year. — David A. Rogers Sr. Software Engineer, SPSS Inc I started taking lessons with Bill as a self-taught mostly functional bass player with lots of other musical experience. Bill's lessons have been tailored to match the areas where I am weakest (technique) as well as the things I am most interested in, rather than "stock" lessons that don't take my background into account. Within just a few months, we've also covered music theory, composition, equipment (basses and amps), auditioning for and playing with a band, and the role of the bass in different kinds of music. It's not just about playing the bass; it's about being the kind of musician you want to be. — Jake Bartalone Research Scientist www.jakeox.blogspot.com Bill Harrison is a skilled, knowledgeable, generous and thoughtful bass instructor. Many musicians give lessons out of necessity but their hearts aren't in it and the student gets the short end of the stick. This is not the case with Bill. He cares enough to take his work as a teacher seriously. He seamlessly evaluates my current skill level and structures lessons and exercises to build upon those skills. He remembers what I'm working on and follows up on it, allowing me the opportunity for growth as a musician. — Michael Freeman PLAYING TESTIMONIALS I loved working with you. Bill, you are a great bass player. Every second I felt in great hands. Loved every minute!!!! — Karen Mason Singer Extraordinaire, Star of Cabaret and Broadway www.karenmason.com Bill Harrison is as fine a bassist as Chicago (or many other cities) has to offer. I have worked in a number of different musical configurations with Bill over the years, from doing my duo with him, to playing in full orchestras and everything in between. His mastery of styles makes him invaluable to whatever the musical objective is, be a pop band, a theater production, a jazz ensemble, or performing legitimate musical scores. In addition, Bill understand the extra-musical support role that can be so helpful to adjusting to today's industry demands. —Mark Madsen Singer, guitarist and President of Alias Madman, Inc. www.markmadsenworld.com Bill Harrison is an awesome, creative musician, a master of all styles of improvisation. —Hankus Netsky Multi-instrumentalist, composer, faculty New England Conservatory www.newenglandconservatory.edu Bill Harrison has the perfect combination of skill, sensitivity and creativity wrapped up with a touch of wit. A musician that defines the art of balance through his musicality and versatility. But the best part is the integrity and humanity he brings to each performance. — Ellen Johnson Jazz Vocalist www.vocalvisions.net |
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INSTRUMENTS AND EQUIPMENT
About twenty years ago I was lucky enough to find an amazing upright bass on consignment at David Gage's shop in NYC. (see photo at right) Built by the French luthier Amelot in 1820, it sounds and plays like a dream. It was formerly owned by a member of the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra. I've had the best success using Thomastik Spirocore (weich) strings and an Underwood pickup, usually through my trusty old Walter Woods amp. I've used a few different cabinets but for upright I like my little Bag End 1 X 15. I recently purchased a more modern Czech bass from my friend and colleague Mark Sonksen. He's an up and coming luthier here in Chicago as well as a fine bassist. After playing electric basses from Fender, Ibanez, Yamaha and other makers over the years I finally found an instrument that I really like (not that I didn't like my '63 Jazz that was stolen...). I'm currently playing several Lakland basses. I recently purchased a lovely 5 string made by Roger Sadowsky. 
Here's a look at my Lakland 5 string and two 4s- the one on the right is an older fretless. For amplification I use a variety of SWR gear which I highly recommend. |
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