Bill Dobbins

About Bill Dobbins

Bill Dobbins was professor of jazz studies at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York, where he teaches the jazz composing and arranging courses and directs the Eastman Jazz Ensemble and Eastman Studio Orchestra. From 1994 through 2002 he was principal conductor of the WDR Big Band in Cologne, Germany, and headed the jazz studies department at the Hochschule für Musik from 1998 to 2002. He continues working there as guest conductor, as well as with the Metropole Orchestra in Hilversum, Holland.

As a classical pianist, he has performed with ensembles under the direction of Louis Lane, Pierre Boulez, Lukas Foss and Frederick Fennell. He was a prizewinner in the 1972 Gaudeamus International Competition for Interpreters of Contemporary Music in Rotterdam. As a jazz pianist, composer, arranger and conductor, he has collaborated with such well known artists as Clark Terry, James Moody, Chuck Israels, Red Mitchell, Phil Woods, Al Cohn, Eddie Daniels, Dave Liebman, Kevin Mahogany, Peter Erskine, Gary Foster and the Kings Singers.

Mr. Dobbins’ publications with Advance Music include Jazz Arranging and Composing: a Linear Approach, A Creative Approach to Jazz Piano Harmony and How to Play Piano in a Big Band. Books of jazz piano transcriptions include Chick Corea: Now He Sings, Now He Sobs, Herbie Hancock: Classic Jazz Compositions and Piano Solos, and Clare Fischer: Alone Together/Just Me. Recent CDs include The Visit, with John Goldsby (Bass Lion) and J.S. Bach: Christmas Oratorio, with the Kings singers and the WDR Big Band, arranged and conducted by Bill Dobbins (Signum Classics).