Bill Frisell

Biography

William Richard Frisell, 18 March 1951, Baltimore, Maryland, USA. Frisell is acknowledged as one of the most influential and exciting jazz guitarists to emerge in the latter half of the 20th century. Collaborating with artists from the world of pop, country, world and classical music has, in addition, brought his unique style to a much wider audience than many of his contemporaries.

Frisell, whose father was a tuba and string-bass player, was raised in Denver, Colorado. He began playing clarinet, then saxophone, finally settling on guitar. He also plays banjo, ukulele and bass. He majored in music at North Colorado University (1969-71) and in 1977 was awarded a diploma in arranging and composition from Berklee College Of Music, as well as winning the Harris Stanton guitar award. He took lessons from Jim Hall, Johnny Smith and Dale Bruning, and cited his favourite players as Hall, Wes Montgomery and Jimi Hendrix. In the late 70s he began to...

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