Green, Bill

Biography

William Green (b. February 28, 1925; d. July 29, 1996), was a musician who was an integral part of the Los Angeles Central Avenue jazz scene, playing local clubs (Marty's; House of Rhythm; benefits at Lincoln Theater) working as an active studio musician (commercial recordings, television shows) and private and class teacher of woodwinds and ensembles. He performed on saxophone, clarinet, flute, oboe and taught other woodwinds as well.

William Green was born in Kansas City, Kansas. He began to play alto saxophone in the 1930s, using his father's instrument. He performed with the local WPA Big Band until he was 15, where he met Louis Witworth, who was his musical mentor. The members chipped in to buy him his first clarinet. After serving in the army, he moved to Los Angeles in 1945-46 on the G.I Bill, and there joined other jazz musicians in the then-vital Central Avenue jazz scene, where he met and worked with local jazz artists such as Buddy Colette. He also attended the Los Angeles Conservatory of Music and Arts as a student (1947-1952) and then as a teacher (1952-1962). He studied and then subbed for Mitchell Lurie, recorded with artists such as Gerald Wilson, Louie Bellson, Benny Carter. He accompanied popular artists such as Tony Bennett, Nat "King" Cole, Frank Sinatra, Dionne Warwick, Nancy Wilson. Other artists that he accompanied include Gil Fuller, Ella Fitzgerald, Gene Ammons, Sonny Rollins, Lionel Hampton, Woody Herman. He taught at institutions such as the Los Angeles Conservatory, California State University, and University of Southern California. In addition, he taught solfege, music theory, and jazz musicianship to Los Angeles youth at the Candelabra Hall prior to his performances at the adjacent Marty's jazz club at 58th and Broadway.