Bill Saxton

Bill Saxton's music career spans from the late 1960’s to today. After graduating from The New England Conservatory of Music in Boston with a degree in jazz music, he went on to appear with and/or record with jazz giants, such as Roy Haynes, Jackie McLean, Clark Terry, Nancy Wilson, The Duke Ellington Orchestra, The Count Basie Orchestra, Frank Foster, Carmen McRae, Mongo Santa Maria, Roy Ayers, Barry Harris, Tito Puente, and Charles Tolliver, to name a few.Saxton has toured in West Africa, Europe, Japan, and the Caribbean. In Harlem, NY, he is an established bandleader of world class musicians for over ten years being joined by Bobby Watson, Hilton Ruiz, Bobby Forester and John Hicks.Bill has composed more than 80 musical compositions. Tunes such as "Beneath the Surface", "One for Booker", and "Priorities" earned a three star rating and critical acclaim in Downbeat and BeBop and Beyond Magazine.In 2003, Saxton and fellow musician, Sinclair Acey, established the Harlem Jazz Scene, Inc. a non-profit organization to promote and preserve jazz. Programs in Jazz Literacy and the formation of The Harlem Youth Jazz Band, for public school students, have been the driving force for Bill and Sinclair’s organization.In 2006, he opened “Bill’s Place”, located in Harlem, NY USA - a historical jazz landmark. In 1927 during prohibition, the famous Swing Street, 133rd Street between Lenox and Seventh Avenues, was the after hours hangout for Duke Ellington, Fats Waller, Moms Mabley, Langston Hughes, and the like. The popular joint at 148 West 133rd, a speakeasy, was home to Willie "the Lion" Smith on piano and was one of the places Harlem for young Billie Holiday to develop her singing. Today this same space is now alive and full of the spirit of the jazz of the past.“Bill’s Place” is continuing the purist legacy of serious straight-ahead-jazz. Bill Saxton lives his African American heritage and represents Harlem at its best. He is Jazz.