Biography, Bill Hicks, Trumpet Player

Biography

Bill Hicks is a veteran, professional trumpet player who has entertained crowds from coast to coast since the 1970s.

Bill was first chair in the 72nd U.S. Army Concert and Marching Bands and lead trumpet in the dance band at Ft. McArthur from 1970-73.

From 1976-79, Bill was the lead trumpeter for the Harry James Orchestra. He toured the country with the James band and appeared on national TV shows. He has performed with a host of Big Bands.

Bill studied trumpet for 17 years with the King of Brass, Claude Gordon, the former top trumpeter with CBS Orchestra.

He regularly performed at the American Music Theatre Orchestra in Lancaster, PA. from 1997 through 2008.

From 1990 to 2010, Bill owned and led the four bands that comprised Big Band Nostalgia Productions.

Today in central Pennsylvania, Bill Hicks works as a freelance trumpet player, provides trumpet music for weddings and special events, and offers private trumpet lessons in his studio near Denver, PA. and online using Skype.

Resume of Bands and Performances

Bill has played with a host of big bands, with many famous performers and artists, and has performed in Broadway musicals and on television and for the movies. He has also made several recordings. Listed below is his impressive list of performances:

Played with these Big Bands

Harry James Orchestra	Bob Crosby
Alvino Rey	Ray Anthony
Bill Tole	Claude Gordon
Lee Castle & Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra	Dave Stahl Big Band
Zim Zemarel Orchestra	Rob Stoneback Big Band

Performed with these Artists

Helen Forrest	Natalie Cole	Ella Mae Morse
Mills Brothers	The Temptations	Lola Falana
Phyllis Diller	Harry Blackstone Jr.	Al Jarreau
Tony Bennett	Johnny Mathis	Peggy Lee
Bobby Vinton	Tommy Tune	Shari Lewis
Andy Williams	Bernadette Peters	Ed Ames
Sarah Vaughn	Manhattan Rhythm Kings	King Sisters
Bob Hope	The Four Tops	Dick Contino
Frank Sinatra	Roger Williams	Engelbert
Robert Goulet	Arthur Duncan	The Spinners
Rita Moreno	Don Cornell	Helen Reddy
Ben Vereen	Regis Philbin	Mel Torme
Jerry Vale	Johnny Rey	Frankie Laine
Lennon Sisters	Kenny Rogers	Connie Haines
Ralph Carmichael	Dave Boyer	Al Martino
James Darren	New York Voices	Andy Russell
Manheim Steamroller	Bob Newhart	The Skyliners
Lorna Luft

Played as a Guest Soloist with

West Shore Symphony Orchestra

Shippensburg University Concert Band and Jazz Ensemble

Harrisburg Concert Band

Dickinson College Symphonic Band

Performed on these Television Shows and Movies

John Denver & Friends, TV Special

The Merv Griffin Show

The Gong Show

New Years Eve from Catalina Island with the Alvino Rey Orchestra

Attack Of The Killer Tomatoes

Performed with these Broadway Touring Musicals

South Pacific	The Scarlet Pimpernel
Oklahoma	The Rat Pack
Peter Pan	Spamalot
Fiddler On The Roof	Legally Blonde
The Music Of Andrew Lloyd Webber	A Chorus Line
Copacabana	Beauty and the Beast
Chicago	Cinderella
Dr. Dolittle	Annie Get Your Gun
West Side Story	A Christmas Story
Sandy Hackett's Rat Pack Show

and Made these Recordings

“Dizzyland” - Cal State Northridge Jazz Band

“Family Night” - Garner Ted Armstrong and The Young Ambassadors

“King James Version” - Harry James

“Coming From A Good Place” - Harry James

“Still Harry After All These Years” - Harry James

“Class Of ‘34” - Bill Hitchcock

“Peppercize With Sonia Shaw” - Bill Hitchcock

“The James Sessions” – Bill Hicks & Big Band Nostalgia