Bill Crow

Bill Crow had a long and successful career as a jazz bassist for such Bebop pioneers as Stan Getz and Gerry Mulligan. In later years he joined the board for the New York chapter of the Musicians Union, which led to his second career as a writer. He was asked to write a regular column for the union’s newsletter, which he loaded with funny anecdotes he experienced or became aware of over the years. The columns were later published by Oxford University Press in two successful books entitled Jazz Anecdotes and From Birdland to Broadway. During his NAMM interview Bill recalled several fascinating moments with such musicians as Ray Charles, Art Tatum, drummer Gus Johnson and the innovative bandleader Claude Thornhill. Bill also played in Marian McPartland’s trio with Joe Morello, who became a close friend. When asked for a memorable moment of his career Bill spoke of his trip to Europe on the Andrea Doria, clarifying that his cruise took place “a year before the ship sank.”