June 10 | 6:00pm

BILL PIERCE QUARTET

Jazz

Saxophonist Bill Pierce is known in the jazz world for both his innovative hard bop playing and his distinguished career as an educator.

Pierce began performing in the early 70's in Boston while a student at Berklee College of Music, appearing with artists such as Marvin Gaye, and toured with Stevie Wonder’s band.

In 1980, he joined Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers, serving as musical director and sharing the bandstand with other young talents including Bobby Watson, Wynton and Branford Marsalis, Wayne Shorter, and Donald Harrison. He regularly performed with the Freddie Hubbard Quintet, and in 1985 he joined the Tony Williams Quintet.

Since 1986 he has continued to teach, perform, and record under his own name. Each area of his professional life has continued to thrive, highlighted by his appointment as Chairman of the Woodwind Department at Berklee College in 1997 and membership to the Kevin Eubanks quartet since 1999.

Pierce is consistently featured at major national and international jazz festivals and venues.

In his own words:

"Playing with Art Blakey's and Tony Williams's bands, I really felt a part of a jazz lineage. And I was able to play with them long enough to be part of a living, growing organism. Over a period of time playing with the same people, the music morphs into something more than the composer may have intended. It develops into more than the sum of its parts.”

and

“I really like seeing music being carried on. I really like seeing young people develop, achieve their dreams, and be a part of the history. Many of my students have made a name for themselves: Antonio Hart, Mark Gross, Javon Jackson, Walter Smith, Mark Turner, Miguel Zenon. But a lot of the former students who I consider to be really successful are just good people, good citizens. That's an important part of teaching."

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Advanced tickets are recommended

Doors open 15 min ahead of starting time

Food and alcohol are not permitted

Masks are not required

You can bring your own chair

Performances may be canceled or rescheduled due to rain. Full refund will be issued.

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A few words from the festival curator, Luisa Harris:

I would like to extend a very special and heartfelt thank you to YOU, the audience, because through your attendance, ticket purchase, and commitment to the arts and community, you are truly making the festival possible and treasured!

ARTS TALKS’ aim is to create ways to highlight the art side of every individual. Organizing these gatherings is to encourage the discovery or application of one's artistic essence.

To date, additional significant reminders of the commitment to strengthening our communities are the grants and exceptional support received by:

- BOSTON CULTURAL COUNCIL, administered by the Mayor’s Office of Arts and Culture

- MISSION HILL MAIN STREETS

- DAN VLAHOS DESIGN

- THE RECORD CO.