Bill Clifton (July 6, 1916 – February 26, 1967) was a Canadian jazz pianist based in New York City for almost three decades. He played with many of the name bands of the swing era and accompanied some of the music industry's most noted vocalists He is remembered today as an early and important influence on the great jazz pianist Bill Evans.
Clifton was born in Toronto, Ontario. He began his piano studies at age seven with Toronto's Royal Conservatory Of Music. Bill was introduced to the music of Fletcher Henderson and Duke Ellington in his high school years and began to ponder a career as a professional musician. After graduating, he became the pianist in The Cliff McKay Band, a Canadian group that played a few "hot" arrangements amongst its stylistically broad program. Bill Clifton entered New York City in 1939, finding immediate employment with The Paul Whiteman Orchestra. Stints with: Benny Goodman, Woody Herman, Ray Noble, Bud Freeman, Abe Lyman and others followed. Bill also performed and (or) recorded with some of the most beloved voices in American music history including: Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra, Cliff "Ukulele Ike" Edwards (the voice of Disney's Jiminy Cricket) and Ilene Woods (the voice of Disney's Cinderella).
He made many appearances on radio and television during his employment as a studio musician for several years at both the NBC and CBS networks. He was a regular guest on the "Piano Playhouse" radio program during its lengthy run on NBC from the late 40' to early 50's. This was a popular weekly broadcast with an international audience that featured the most important pianist in the jazz and classical fields. His work in television included membership in the Tony Mottola Trio. This combo pioneered live music accompaniment for early television and was led by the brilliant guitarist, Tony Mottola. Bill Clifton also appeared in a number of films including "The Laugh Maker" (1953). starring Jackie Gleason and Art Carney. For several years, beginning in the late 1940s, Clifton alternated solo shows with the great pianist, Cy Walter (the Park Avenue Art Tatum) at New York's famed Drake Room. This elegant night spot housed in The Drake Hotel was a nexus at the time for some of the biggest names in the entertainment world.
In 1950, Bill Clifton recorded one of the earliest long-playing records as part of the Columbia Records "Piano Moods" series. Later work included an album featuring Clifton's talents as an arranger and conductor as well as pianist for the Ilene Woods LP "It's Late".
Clifton died while performing on board the S.S. Argentina.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Clifton_(pianist)
Clifton was born in Toronto, Ontario. He began his piano studies at age seven with Toronto's Royal Conservatory Of Music. Bill was introduced to the music of Fletcher Henderson and Duke Ellington in his high school years and began to ponder a career as a professional musician. After graduating, he became the pianist in The Cliff McKay Band, a Canadian group that played a few "hot" arrangements amongst its stylistically broad program. Bill Clifton entered New York City in 1939, finding immediate employment with The Paul Whiteman Orchestra. Stints with: Benny Goodman, Woody Herman, Ray Noble, Bud Freeman, Abe Lyman and others followed. Bill also performed and (or) recorded with some of the most beloved voices in American music history including: Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra, Cliff "Ukulele Ike" Edwards (the voice of Disney's Jiminy Cricket) and Ilene Woods (the voice of Disney's Cinderella).
He made many appearances on radio and television during his employment as a studio musician for several years at both the NBC and CBS networks. He was a regular guest on the "Piano Playhouse" radio program during its lengthy run on NBC from the late 40' to early 50's. This was a popular weekly broadcast with an international audience that featured the most important pianist in the jazz and classical fields. His work in television included membership in the Tony Mottola Trio. This combo pioneered live music accompaniment for early television and was led by the brilliant guitarist, Tony Mottola. Bill Clifton also appeared in a number of films including "The Laugh Maker" (1953). starring Jackie Gleason and Art Carney. For several years, beginning in the late 1940s, Clifton alternated solo shows with the great pianist, Cy Walter (the Park Avenue Art Tatum) at New York's famed Drake Room. This elegant night spot housed in The Drake Hotel was a nexus at the time for some of the biggest names in the entertainment world.
In 1950, Bill Clifton recorded one of the earliest long-playing records as part of the Columbia Records "Piano Moods" series. Later work included an album featuring Clifton's talents as an arranger and conductor as well as pianist for the Ilene Woods LP "It's Late".
Clifton died while performing on board the S.S. Argentina.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Clifton_(pianist)
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Bill Clifton (6 de julio de 1916 - 26 de febrero de 1967) fue un pianista de jazz canadiense radicado en la ciudad de Nueva York durante casi tres décadas. Tocó con muchos de los grupos de la era del swing y acompañó a algunos de los vocalistas más destacados de la industria de la música. Hoy en día es recordado como una influencia temprana e importante en el gran pianista de jazz Bill Evans.
Clifton nació en Toronto, Ontario. Comenzó sus estudios de piano a la edad de siete años con el Conservatorio Real de Música de Toronto. Bill conoció la música de Fletcher Henderson y Duke Ellington en sus años de bachillerato y comenzó a considerar una carrera como músico profesional. Después de graduarse, se convirtió en el pianista de The Cliff McKay Band, un grupo canadiense que tocó algunos arreglos "calientes" entre su programa estilísticamente amplio. Bill Clifton entró en la ciudad de Nueva York en 1939, encontrando empleo inmediato con The Paul Whiteman Orchestra. Stints con: Benny Goodman, Woody Herman, Ray Noble, Bud Freeman, Abe Lyman y otros le siguieron. Bill también tocó y (o) grabó con algunas de las voces más queridas de la historia de la música americana, incluyendo: Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra, Cliff "Ukulele Ike" Edwards (la voz de Jiminy Cricket de Disney) e Ilene Woods (la voz de Cenicienta de Disney).
Hizo muchas apariciones en radio y televisión durante su empleo como músico de estudio durante varios años en las cadenas NBC y CBS. Fue invitado habitual en el programa de radio "Piano Playhouse" durante su larga carrera en la NBC desde finales de los 40 hasta principios de los 50. Se trata de una popular emisión semanal con un público internacional que contó con la presencia del pianista más importante en los campos del jazz y de la música clásica. Su trabajo en televisión incluyó la membresía en el Tony Mottola Trio. Este combo fue pionero en el acompañamiento de música en vivo para la televisión antigua y fue dirigido por el brillante guitarrista Tony Mottola. Bill Clifton también apareció en varias películas, entre ellas "The Laugh Maker" (1953), protagonizada por Jackie Gleason y Art Carney. Durante varios años, a partir de finales de la década de 1940, Clifton alternó exposiciones individuales con el gran pianista Cy Walter (The Park Avenue Art Tatum) en el famoso Drake Room de Nueva York. Este elegante lugar nocturno ubicado en el Hotel Drake era un nexo para algunos de los nombres más importantes del mundo del entretenimiento.
En 1950, Bill Clifton grabó uno de los primeros discos de larga duración como parte de la serie "Piano Moods" de Columbia Records. Su trabajo posterior incluyó un álbum con los talentos de Clifton como arreglista y director de orquesta, así como pianista para el LP "It's Late" de Ilene Woods.
Clifton murió mientras actuaba a bordo del S.S. Argentina.
Tracks:
1. It's Easy To Remember (3:01)
2. Isn't It Romantic (3:27)
3. Love-Forty Blues (3:59)
4. Let's Fall In Love (2:38)
5. The Touch Of Your Lips (2:31)
6. Down The Old Ax Road (2:10)
7. Down By the River (2:09)
8. Love Is The Sweetest Thing (3:18)
9. Gypsy In My Soul (2:19)
Bill Clifton - piano with rhythm accompaniment.
Label: Columbia – CL 6166
Released: 1951
Genre: Jazz
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I love your blog and am enjoying the new spate of bluegrass-focused posts. But this isn't one of them. This is another Bill Clifton, not the member of the Bluegrass Hall of Fame.
ReplyDeleteNonetheless, thank you for all you do. Wonderful blog.
Hi Larry, thank you so much for your observation, I've confused the biographies. And in gratitude for your collaboration you have the post ...
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