artist info

“My trio with Tony Scherr and Kenny Wollesen is probably the most flexible, spontaneous group I play with. The program can change from night to night depending on what kind of mood we’re all in, the size or sound of the room, the audience, what we have or had not had to eat that day, how much sleep we’ve had recently, how far we’ve traveled, etc., etc. We never plan a set before hand. With Tony and Kenny I have the luxury of playing just about anything that comes into my head at any moment. This could be music from any of my albums, standard songs, folks songs, or whatever. These guys really inspire and challenge me every time we get together.” – Bill Frisell

Bill Frisell’s career as a guitarist and composer has spanned more than 40 years and many celebrated recordings, whose catalog has been cited by Downbeat as "the best recorded output of the decade." Released March of ’18, Frisell’s latest album for OKeh/Sony is a solo album titled, Music IS.

Recognized as one of America’s 21 most vital and productive performing artists, Frisell was named an inaugural Doris Duke Artist in 2012. He is also a recipient of grants from United States Artists and Meet the Composer, among others. In 2016, he was a beneficiary of the first FreshGrass Composition commission to preserve and support innovative grassroots music. Upon San Francisco Jazz opening their doors in 2013, he served as one of their Resident Artistic Directors. Bill is also the subject of a new documentary film by director Emma Franz, entitled Bill Frisell: A Portrait, which examines his creative process in depth.

New York-based jazz musician Tony Scherr plays acoustic and electric bass and guitar in a variety of line-ups. He played with Woody Herman while a teenager. A prolific session musician he’s worked with John Scofield, Norah Jones, Bill Frisell, Ani DiFranco, Al Di Meola, Ana Egge, Sophie B. Hawkins, Maria Schneider and more. He’s been a member of numerous bands such as The Lounge Lizards, Sex Mob, Jesse Harris and the Ferdinados, and Chris Brown and the Citizen Band.

NYC-based Kenny Wollesen is an America drummer and percussionist who has recorded with Tom Waits, Sean Lennon, Ron Sexsmith, Norah Jones, John Zorn, Bill Frisell and more. He’s a founding member of the New Klezmer Trio and a member of the Sex Mob and Himalayas groups. He grew up in California studying at Aptos High School and spending many teenage years playing with Donny McCaslin. He also spent quality classroom time with flugelhornist and arranger Ray Brown at Cabrillo College.