Bill Mays

Pianist/composer Bill Mays’ career as a professional musician spans the last 50 years and includes a multitude of musical endeavors. Following four years as a bandsman in the U.S. Navy Bill spent 15 years as a session player in the Hollywood studios. In 1984 he re-located to New York City, firmly establishing himself as an in-demand sideman and leader of his own ensembles. He has worked with jazz legends Benny Golson, Red Mitchell, Gerry Mulligan, Bud Shank, Frank Sinatra, The Vanguard Jazz Orchestra,
Sarah Vaughan and Phil Woods. His many recordings (solo, duo, trio and sextet) are well-documented on the Chiaroscuro, Concord, Palmetto and Steeplechase record labels.

A prolific composer and arranger, Mays has written extended works for bass, flute, woodwind septet as well as pieces for big band and orchestra. Bill’s latest recordings are “Phil & Bill” (with saxophonist Phil Woods), “Side By Side: Sondheim Duos” (with bassist Tommy Cecil) and “Life’s A Movie” (The Inventions Trio, with cellist Alisa Horn and trumpeter Marvin Stamm).

Bill Mays -- beyond category. With deep roots in jazz, gospel, pop and classical music his eclectic, prolific career as pianist, composer and arranger spans five decades. On hundreds of recordings, TV and movie soundtracks, Bill's concert and studio credits include a who's who of modern music, from Benny Golson to Gerry Mulligan to Sarah Vaughan to Frank Zappa.