Family, friends, fellow musicians and alumnus will celebrate the musical legacy of William “Bill” Bell, fondly known as The Jazz Professor, on his 80th birthday, Tuesday, July 12, 2016 at The Phillip Reeder Performing Arts Center on the Castlemont High School Campus in Oakland at 7:00 p.m.

A highly versatile musician, Bill Bell is widely known for his work in composition, arranging, and conducting as well as music education.  He taught music in the Oakland School District, is the retired chairman of the music department at the College of Alameda and has served as jazz band director at Stanford University and adjunct professor at U.C. Berkeley, where he taught courses in jazz improvisation. His commissioned works include “East Meets West” for the Oakland Youth Symphony and ‘’Right On’’ for the San Francisco Symphony.  He is the founder and director of the Oakland Bay Area Community Chorus, which is dedicated to the preservation of the African American spiritual.  His first CD, “The Jazz Professor”, was released in 1995, followed by his 1997 recording with trumpeter Art Farmer and tenor saxophonist Harold Land, “Live At Stanford Jazz Workshop”.  Professor Bell’s discography includes “Just Swing Baby” in 2005 and “The Feeling Of Jazz” in 2009.  He has mentored and taught countless well-known musicians including Benny Green, John Faddis, Will Kennedy and Rodney Franklin.

Tickets can be purchased at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/bay-area-tribute-to-bill-bell-tickets-25885558402or by contacting  friendsofbillbell@gmail.com, (510) 239-7557