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Bill Pierce , 2007 February 16

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Interview Summary

Bill Pierce, saxophonist and chair of the Woodwind department, recounts his early musical experiences and influences growing up in Jacksonville and Miami, Florida, and his transition from Tennessee State to Berklee College of Music in 1968. Pierce describes the campus demographics, academic rigor, influential instructors such as Charlie Mariano and Alan Dawson, and memorable learning moments at Berklee in the late sixties and early seventies, as well as performing in Boston clubs such as Wally’s and the Sugar Shack, gigging at weddings and parties, touring with Stevie Wonder, and collaborations with fellow students and local artists during his time as a student. He shares about joining the Berklee faculty in the mid-seventies, being mentored by James Williams, leaving to tour with Art Blakey’s band, and returning to teach full-time in 1983. Pierce shares stories about bandleaders and major collaborators Art Blakey, Freddie Hubbard, Tony Williams, as well as Berklee administrators Lawrence Berk and Bob Share. He also describes many former students and highlights the central role of education to expand horizons and to challenge bias and cultural stereotypes.

Dates

  • Creation: 2007 February 16

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

Collection is open for research. Access to this collection is provided online here. See individual interview records for direct links to streaming video.

Biographical / Historical

Jazz saxophonist Bill Pierce grew up in Jacksonville, Florida, taking saxophone lessons in public school. After two years studying oboe at Tennessee State, Pierce enrolled at Berklee College of Music in 1968, studying saxophone under Charlie Mariano, Andy McGhee, and Joe Viola, and playing with RnB and funk bands in Boston clubs by night. He graduated in 1972, returning a couple years later as a part-time faculty member to teach courses in arranging, harmony, ensembles, saxophone. In 1980, he joined Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers as musical director, touring and recording for three years, and later joined Frankie Hubbard’s east coast band. Pierce returned to Berklee in 1983 as an Associate Professor in the Woodwind Department, which he chaired from 1997 until his retirement in 2017. In addition to his own quartet, Pierce was also a longtime member of the Tony Williams Quintet and the Kevin Eubanks quartet.

Language of Materials

English

Repository Details

Part of the Berklee Archives Repository

Contact:
Berklee
1140 Boylston St
Boston MA 02215 USA
617-747-8001