We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Bill Mays. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Bill below.

Alright, Bill thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Let’s jump back to the first dollar you earned as a creative? What can you share with us about how it happened?

In 1959 (I was 15) I got wind that the Gay 90’s pizza parlor in Pleasant Hills, CA was looking for a piano player for their band. Though my minister dad objected to my playing in a joint that served booze, he finally gave his permission and I met with the guys in the band. All much older than me, there was a father/son banjo team that sat high up on top of an ancient upright piano (with thumbtacks in the hammers to give it an old Western barroom sound). Another guy played “gutbucket”–literally an overturned aluminum washtub with a broom handle and cord, which he thumped
enthusiastically and with good rhythm, but with absolutely no pitch. The guys gave me a music “fake book” (a very basic book of popular songs, containing the melody, sometimes the lyrics, and chord symbols (names of chords, as F#7 or Dmi7). They told me to learn “Jada,” “Beer Barrel Polka,” “I’m A Ding Dong Daddy From Dumas,” “Twelfth Street Rag,” “K-K-K-Katy” –– you get the picture. Next Friday night I showed up for the gig, played my heart out, got lots of beer spilled on me from the banjoists up on their perch, made my 15 dollars, and bingo, I was a professional!

Bill, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I got into the music business in 1959 while still in high school. From 1961 to 65 I was a musician in a US Navy band. From 1965 to 69 I was a commercial pianist in San Diego, playing everything from county fairs to night clubs to a daily, variety TV show. From 1969 to 84 I was a studio musician in Hollywood playing on LPs, TV shows, movie soundtracks, and was also a “jobbing” musician playing for a multitude of singers (from Sarah Vaughan to Al Jarreau, Peggy Lee to Barry Manilow). From 1984 to the present I’ve been in New York city as a jazz artist (40 CDs as a leader), a performing musician in my own and others ensembles at festivals, clubs, universities. Have also continued in commercial music, mostly film soundtracks (e.g. “Julie & Julia”, “Fur”, “Shaft 2”, “Barbershop 2”, “White Noise”, “Interview With The Vampire”, “Sphere”). As a jazz “sideman” I’ve worked with Gerry Mulligan, Phil Woods, Maria Schneider Orchestra, Benny Golson, Red Mitchell, Ron Carter, etc.
My early training in classical music was essential in developing pianistic touch, tone, and my skills as a quick sight-reader. My early musical experiences and inspirations (gospel church music, rhythm & blues of the ’50s, Modern jazz in the 60s onward) helped encourage and develop my eclectic approach to music of all stripes. In addition to my 65-yearlong career I’m proud of the music I’ve written and recorded for my own projects, as well as music for other people’s records down thru the years (Ann Hampton Callaway, Mark Murphy, Bud Shank, Phil Woods, etc).
My “products” include my performances at the piano as a soloist as well as accompanist, my abilities as an arranger (re-working existing compositions to fit the needs of the artist at hand), my work as a music clinician (university level). Lastly, I’m proud of the book I published 10 years ago, “Stories Of The Road, the Studios, Sidemen & Singers: 55 years in the Music Biz” (all proceeds of which go directly to the Musicians Emergency Relief Fund (https://erf.local802afm.org/).

How did you build your audience on social media?

As a performing artist there was no social media when I started out. So I assembled aesthetically-pleasing 1-page announcements about upcoming concerts, recording releases, and snail-mailed them to potential attendees, created posters and distributed them around town. I also made calls to people to encourage them to come out to support me (and live music in general). I sometimes worked with agents who did some of that work, but most of my booking and management was done by myself. This was aided by attending music conferences, such as the International Association of jazz educators (IAJE – now the Jazz Educators Network). I’ve also written grant proposals, and received grants from the NEA, Pennsylvania Artists On Tour (PennPAT), and Ascap (of which I am a 40+ year member). During this present era of social media I have a thorough and informative website and a Facebook page. I send out e-blasts about what I’m doing and where I’m performing and I have massive visibility on YouTube.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

To keep creating beautiful music as a composer arranger and pianist, and performing it in the vast variety of venues that I have pursued for 6+ decades (Night clubs, jazz festivals, universities, home concerts, online live stream concerts, and CD/DVD recordings).
Music is a healer, not just an entertainment, I firmly believe. It gives hope, it grounds us, it washes away the dust of every day life, to put it more poetically. I can’t imagine a world without music. And I continue to do this in my 80th year and will until my last breath

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.billmays.net/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/classic-pianos/bill-mays-solo-piano/328867600825340/
• Youtube: Live at Blue Bamboo Center for the Arts – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GsF6jQeJrsw&t=1392s
• Other:
  Trio live at Soapbox Gallery – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a_ncMGgugbQ&t=2482s
  Solo at WVIA-TV – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A-4xC9-Nhag&t=2278s
  Norton Museum of Art, “Brief History of Jazz Piano – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mZCWXXNYzgg&t=3738s
  “A Jazzy Christmas” – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BWXibuatDS8&t=5375s
  “Mays at the Movies” – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ld_xVE7C2V8&t=174s
  “Bill Mays Sings!” – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CM6KBn6gKos&t=552s

Image Credits

Judy Kirtley