When“Jazz Then and Now” Host Bill Tannebring was gigging around Boston in the 70’s, he had every intention of making a career as a jazz musician. And why shouldn’t he? He was proficient as a pianist and vibraphonist (He’d been playing piano since he was 5 years old) and the city and its musical Mecca, the Berklee School, made Boston one of the most exiting jazz environments in the country. He was one of the house pianists at Paul’s Mall, one of three great music venues in Kenmore Square, that included the Jazz Workshop and the Inner Circle. It wasn’t unusual to find him and his trio in the Mall, while John Coltrane or Horace Silver performed at The Jazz Workshop and Keith Jarrett played solo piano in The Inner Circle.  And because Boston was the home of many great pianists at that time including Dave McKenna, Chick Corea, Alan Broadbent, Hal Galper and Jan Hammer, it’s no wonder that Bill was able to develop the style that is uniquely his.
 
After accepting a position as a pianist on a weekly television program, he discovered that he had talents as a television producer and broadcaster and soon became the moving force behind the country’s first-ever weekly jazz television program. "JAZZ" on WGBH TV was hosted by legendary trumpeter Herb Pomeroy and the visual style, unique feel and musical excellence of that series have never been duplicated.

He produced the first television broadcast of the Newport Jazz Festival and spent three years in New York City producing a television series with Lloyd Bridges but still found time to join a band led by Lou Levy, backing singer Peggy Lee, that toured the east coast.  

He relocated to Dallas Texas as Executive Producer of  KERA TV, where he created musical television programs of all genres. Yet he found time to perform regularly with saxophonists James Clay and Marshall Ivory at the famed Recovery Room. He also  played piano and vibes in a quintet led by David “Fathead" Newman.

Bill currently resides near Los Angeles California where he keeps busy as a producer/writer, teacher and of course a pianist. He performs with his trio in Los Angeles, San Francisco and Palm Springs. In addition to editing Jazz in the OC, he  writes music reviews for the on-line jazz magazines, All About Jazz and Jazz Review. Bill’s reviews can be found at www.AllAboutJazz.com and www.jazzreview.com

Visit Bill's website: www.billtannebring.com