Michael Brecker, Phil Woods, Paul Desmond, Eddie Daniels, Stan Getz, Cannonball, Coltrane, Miles, Watts, Brandon Fields, Eric Marienthal, Sanborn, Metheny, Dave Weckl, Tower of Power, EWF, Chic, etc, etc...
Composer, producer and saxophonist
Bill Shreeve’s debut release, “Feel This” was nominated "best jazz album 2008" by the San Diego Music Academy and the San Diego Music Awards.
Bill Shreeve molds his extensive influences in jazz, funk, and Latin genres to create a soulful, melodically satisfying contemporary jazz release, “Feel This” featuring guitar wizard Peter Sprague (Chick Corea, David Benoit, Eric Marienthal), Fattburger’s smooth jazz masters Kevin Koch (drums) and Evan Marks (guitar). Other fine musicians include Dave Scott (trombone), Steve Smith and Lynn Willard (keys), Vince Clementson (guitar), Justin Grinnell and Nathan Brown (bass). The CD features a beautifully harmonious lead line blend of sax and trombone happily reminiscent of the Crusaders early sound. Bill makes skillful use of hypnotic and driving funk grooves and Latin rhythms as a backdrop to his solid and evolving melodic lines. His sweet tone, extensive range and jazz chops are on display throughout the album whether he is playing soprano, alto or tenor sax. This nine-song collection of Bill’s original material is a strong testament to the depth and diversity of his composing and arranging skills.
Bill Shreeve Bio
Bill plays Soprano, Alto, Tenor, and Baritone Saxophones,
Flute, Piccolo and Wind Synthesizer (an electronic wind instrument), and hand percussion.
Bill took an unusually circuitous route to his passionate career in music. Growing up in a musical household, (his father was a pianist and jazz lover) Bill played clarinet in grade school but stopped playing in high school as the clarinet lacked a “cool” factor at that age. Bill’s majors for his first two years of college were Mechanical Engineering, Biology and English Literature. Always strongly interested in music though, Bill had an epiphany at age 21. Finally able to get into a real jazz club, he saw San Diego legend Hollis Gentry perform at The Crossroads. He had the very clear revelation that music was truly where his heart was! Though still dabbling with the clarinet, some musician friends urged him to try the saxophone as it was so much more commonly used in both jazz and pop music. Bill took the advice and then fell in love! Practicing incessantly, Bill made amazing progress and within two years joined his first commercial band, playing the music of Tower of Power, Earth Wind and Fire, Steely Dan, The Crusaders, etc. Looking backward, the name of the club, The Crossroads, now has a deeper significance for Bill.
Bill Shreeve studied music theory and arranging and performed in the jazz ensembles at both City College and San Diego State University.
Since the mid seventy’s, Bill has been carefully honing his personal sound while gaining many years of real world experience as a band leader and freelance woodwind player in a variety of both local and nationally famous jazz, pop, and rock groups in the Southern California region.
Bill is strongly influenced by saxophone luminaries including Stan Getz, Paul Desmond, Cannonball Adderley, Phil Woods, Michael Brecker, Brandon Fields, David Sanborn, Eric Marienthal, Everette Harp, and Hollis Gentry to name a few. In the early eighty’s, Bill began leading his own jazz groups, Tangerine, The Shreeve Brothers, and then The Bill Shreeve Sextet performing at all the popular jazz nightclub venues throughout the San Diego region. Today he writes, records and produces at his personal recording studio, Bill Shreeve Music Productions and is a popular presence in the San Diego jazz scene.
Bill’s jazz playing remains the principal focus of his attention and he has been a
featured artist for several years on Mondays at Croce’s Jazz bar (San Diego’s
premier jazz club) performing with Dave Scott (featuring all Bill’s and Dave’s
original material), and with the Latin Jazz group Yavaz at Croce’s on Fridays.
In addition to the various configurations of his instrumental and vocal jazz groups, Bill leads several more commercial groups including the variety dance band Aire Play, and a Sinatra/Dean Martin/Bobby Darin tribute band, Summer Wind. These groups are popular at corporate events and private parties. Visit Bill's website livejazzanddancemusic.com or billshreeve.com for promo on these and other music entertainment offerings from Bill Shreeve Music Productions.
Hey man, again, it was a treat to see you and play together. You burnt down that Michael-Jackson-Miles tune! Very inspiring my friend. Best wishes in '09 Bill. Peace
Hi Bill, Thank you for the inspiring comment and kind words. Yes, I was lucky enough to find great horn players that were willing to try something different. Your compositions here are smoothly played, well arranged and nicely produced. Great feel and texture. My best regards and Happy holidays, Danny
It was fun hearing you guys the other night--sounded great!! Thanks for inviting me to sit in on a tune and for so generously letting me use your flute!
