Billy Bauer

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Billy Bauer (November 14, 1915 – June 16, 2005) was an American cool jazz guitarist.

Bauer established himself early on in the New York jazz scene. He played with the Jerry Wald band before joining Woody Herman in 1944 as a member of the First Herd and in 1946 he played with Benny Goodman and Jack Teagarden.

Bauer established himself as a solid rhythm player with these bands; however, it was in the small groups that emerged from them, led by Chubby Jackson and Bill Harris that Bauer established himself as a significant soloist in the evolving bebop movement. Bauer's solo work with these groups has been sited as some of the best examples of early bebop guitar. But, more significantly, his solo work has been sited as some of the most progressive playing for any era. His work with Lennie Tristano in the mid 1940's represented some of the most progressive guitar playing up to that time.

During the 1940s, Tristano and Bauer enjoyed a natural synergy in style and approach to their music. Tristano's intricate arrangements beautifully highlighted Bauer's unique style. His unison playing with Tristano was precise, and his accompaniment to Tristano's piano represented some of the best and earliest examples of great guitar comping.

Bauer continued his pioneering guitar work with Lee Konitz in the 50's and 60's. As with Tristano, Bauer found a kindred musical spirit in Konitz. Konitz's avant-garde saxophone work was a perfect match for Bauer's advanced guitar. Together, the two musicians demonstrated a unique musical dialogue across a range of styles from bop and cool to the avant-garde. "Duet For Saxophone and Guitar", was an unusual instrument paring, that really allowed Bauer’s great musicianship to be heard. Early in 1956, Bauer made a recording under his own name. Plectrist which put Bauer front and center throughout, playing great jazz guitar.

Near the end of his career, Bauer appeared at the 1997 JVC Tributes for Barney Kessel and Tal Farlow. Bauer led the way for guitarists like Jimmy Raney and student Joe Satriani. Together with Tristano, they brought the piano, guitar, bass trio to a whole new level.

[edit] Source

  • Billy Bauer's autobiography, Sideman (with Thea Luba ISBN 13 978-0965723701), 1997
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Billy Bauer also wrote and published a number of instructional books on studying music and playing the guitar which constitute a major contribution to learning to play the guitar.