Pittsburgh Jazz Network

Pittsburgh's Own Regional Notables of Jazz

Bill Coffee
  • 50, Male
  • Pittsburgh
  • United States
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Bill Coffee updated their profile
October 30
Back in the Shed working on my chops!
September 24
Bill Coffee added 2 photos
September 8
Bill Coffee added a photo
Sent via BlackBerry from T-Mobile
August 9
Bill Coffee is attending Barb James's event
5th Annual African Arts in the Park at West Park - North Side (near the Aviary)
August 8, 2009 from 11am to 7pm
Time:11:00AM Saturday, August 8th and Sunday, August 9th Participants will have the opportunity to view and hear African Art presentations through live stage music; a browse through the vendor marketplace; stop at booths for demonstration of an art…
August 6
Bill Coffee added a video
Drummer Bill Coffee at PNC Park with Soul Village for the African American Heritage Festival
July 20
July 15
Bill Coffee added a photo
Sent via BlackBerry from T-Mobile
July 12

Profile Information

Favorite website
http://Drummerworld.com
Favorite blog
http://None
Pittsburgh Connection
Born and Raised
Favorite Pittsburgh musicians/performers
Roger Humphries, George Benson, Poogie Bell
Favorite Jazz Radio or media station
WDUQ
Favorite Pittsburgh Jazz Venue
Wherever Jazz can be found!!!
About Me:
I took Interest in drumming at six years of age, about two years after Doctors told my parents that I would never use my right arm again. My parents bought my first three piece Kit when I was seven years old and drumming has been a part of my life ever since.

Ironically, when I enrolled in music lessons to further my understanding of drumming, somehow I was placed in the trumpet class. Back then the teachers decided what you were going to play in music class. I made steady progress, however my heart was in progressing as a drummer and this is where I focused my real attention.

In the winter of 1975, at the age of sixteen, I was invited to play in my first established and working band. This was a well known, respected adult group known in the Pittsburgh area as the “Kings Court Band.” The band leader was tough on me, because my time would fluctuate. He also wanted me to play with fire. Looking back, he reminded me of Mr. Joe Jackson, the father of the then famous “Jackson 5”. As I still had one year left of high school, I left the band at the end of summer to finish my senior year.

After my graduation, in the fall of 1977, another older gentleman came knocking at my parent’s door to invite me to play for his band. They were known as the “We Mighty Soul Band”. We worked like crazy. This band leader was equally hard on me. He wanted power and creativity. Being tired was not an acceptable excuse. I’m talking practice Monday through Thursday, 7:30 pm thru 11:30 pm, and playing shows every weekend. Sometimes we worked three days a week, four hours a night. I kept this pace for well over a year and a half. And the musical experience I gained at this young age has really had a positive effect on my playing even today.

A highlight of my musical experience was in the summer of 1986, I was invited to play with a talented group of guys from the East Pittsburgh area who called them selves; “The Elements of Jazz” . We were booked to play three concerts at the Pittsburgh Arts Festival and the crowd was amazing.

A year later we auditioned to open for Stanley Turrentine, and got the call. However egos got in the way and the band broke up before the concert.
Some of my musical influences are;My older brother Robert Coffee, Art Blakey, Billy Cobham, Lenny White, Dennis Chambers, Poogie Bell and Will Kennedy. (order insignificant)
Website:
http://None
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artist

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At 1:33am on February 27, 2009, Jerry Butler said…
I would love to feature "you" as my guest on my show..If I am not your friend..please add me...also please call me @ the offc at 757 538 3540...757 971 3733 for details...click on the banner below to be a guest...JB


At 2:14am on April 27, 2008, Miles said…
Please join us at www.ilovejazz.us
 
 

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