artist info

Bill Frisell’s work has established him as one of the most sought-after guitar voices in contemporary music. The breadth of his performing and recording situations is a testament not only to his singular guitar conception, but his musical versatility as well. In recent years, it is Frisell's role as composer and band leader which has garnered him increasing notoriety. Much has been made of the uncategorizable nature of Frisell's music and the seamlessness with which his bands have navigated such a variety of styles.

Greg Leisz has been much in demand for playing country, folk, pop and rock music with such artists as Joni Mitchell, Emmylou Harris, Willie Nelson, Linda Ronstadt, KD Lang, Randy Newman, Gillian Welch, Lucinda Williams, Sheryl Crow, Paula Cole, Brian Wilson, Jackson Browne, John Mayer, and Joe Cocker. Leisz lives in his native Los Angeles and is well-known for his mastery of a variety of guitars and string instruments including pedal steel, dobro, National, Hawaiian Weissenborn, lap steel and mandolin, all of which he plays on many Frisell's recordings. Greg also performs with Bill in both duo and larger group formats.

Tony Scherr is perhaps best known for his work as a bassist in a number of Bill Frisell’s bands, Steven Bernstein’s Sexmob, and for Willie Nelson, yet he is also a prolific guitarist and songwriter in his own right, as well as a Grammy-nominated producer. Scherr has two recordings of his own, Twist in the Wind (2002) and Come Around (2007). He is one of the busiest sidemen in New York City, with recent recording credits on albums by Rufus Wainwright, Norah Jones and many others.

A ubiquitous presence on the New York downtown scene, drummer Kenny Wollesen's latest projects include collaborating with Cyro Baptista on the Sound of Community Project, playing bass drum with the marching band Himalayas, playing vibes in a plethora of John Zorn bands, playing drums regularly with Sexmob, Love Trio, Bill Frisell, U-Roy, and he is a founding member of Wollesonic Laboratories.

What has Bill been up to lately?

-Recently appointed Affiliate Professor with UW's Music Deptartment

-Guest Curator for Jazz at Lincoln Center's Roots of Americana Series

-Resident Artistic Director for SF Jazz

-Following his Jazz Alley shows with his new band will be in the studio recording with producer, Lee Townsend & engineer, Tucker Martine in Portland.