Bill Frisell’s career as a guitarist and composer has spanned more than 40 years and many celebrated recordings for labels including ECM, Nonesuch, and Okeh/Sony, and with the 2019 release of HARMONY, Frisell made his debut for Blue Note Records. Frisell’s association with Blue Note stretches back nearly 3 decades to his appearance on John Scofield’s 1992 album Grace Under Pressure — and has included invaluable contributions to Blue Note albums by Don Byron (Romance With The Unseen), Ron Carter (Orfeu), Norah Jones (Come Away With Me), Charles Lloyd & The Marvels (I Long To See You & Vanished Gardens featuring Lucinda Williams), and the collective project Floratone, which featured Frisell, drummer Matt Chamberlain, and producers Lee Townsend and Tucker Martine.
The GRAMMY-nominated artist was recognized as an inaugural Doris Duke Artist in 2012, and has been the recipient of grants from United States Artists, Meet the Composer, and in 2016 he was a beneficiary of the first FreshGrass Composition commission to preserve and support innovative grassroots music. Upon SFJAZZ opening their doors in 2013, he served as one of their Resident Artistic Directors, and he was a guest curator of Lincoln Center’s Roots of Americana series. He is also the subject of the documentary film Bill Frisell: A Portrait by director Emma Franz, which examines his creative process in depth. He has received an honorary doctorate from the Berklee College of Music.
By Evan Haga In the trio format he’s favored throughout his career, the guitarist and composer Bill Frisell has always projected an orchestral scope — through his remarkably complete sense of harmony, a unique gift for melodies that remain with you long after a performance, and a keen feel for how dynamic range can be used to convey emotion. But on his new double album, his fourth release... read more
Two years after issuing his acclaimed trio album Valentine, GRAMMY Award-winning guitarist and composer Bill Frisell returns with Four, a stunning meditation on loss, renewal, and those mysterious inventions of friendship. Frisell’s third album for Blue Note Records since signing with the label in 2019 proffers new interpretations of previously recorded originals as well as nine new tunes. The... read more
If one concept can be said to define the expansive, unprecedented career of Bill Frisell—a “fearless and adaptable guitarist,” per The New Yorker—it might be that of connection. Frisell, now 68, can’t help but draw lines between the landmarks of his life in music. He likes to think about the rich commonalities among the jazz, roots, rock and pop music he grew up immersed in. He... read more
In the trio format he’s favored throughout his career, the guitarist and composer Bill Frisell has always projected an orchestral scope through his remarkably complete sense of harmony, a unique gift for melodies that remain with you long after a performance, and a keen feel for how dynamic range can be used to... read more
In the trio format he’s favored throughout his career, the guitarist and composer Bill Frisell has always projected an orchestral scope through his remarkably complete sense of harmony, a unique gift for melodies that remain with you long after a performance, and a keen feel for how dynamic range can be used to... read more
Bill Frisell has released “Holiday,” a playful new track from the acclaimed guitarist’s forthcoming album Four, a stunning meditation on loss, renewal, and friendships that was produced by Lee Townsend and comes out November 11. The album convenes a new line-up of musical friends, independent spirits, and like... read more
Bill Frisell follows-up his acclaimed 2020 trio album Valentine with the November 11 release of Four, a stunning 13-track meditation on loss, renewal, and friendships. The guitarist and composer’s 3rd album for Blue Note Records since signing with the label in 2019 proffers new interpretations of previously recorded... read more
Acclaimed guitarist Bill Frisell has released his second Blue Note album Valentine featuring his trio with bassist Thomas Morgan and drummer Rudy Royston. The guitarist discusses the new album on the latest episode of “First Look” with Blue Note President Don Was, watch below. https://youtu.be/9ugoH_r0AoE A... read more
Acclaimed guitarist Bill Frisell has released “Valentine,” the Monk-ish title track of his forthcoming trio album featuring bassist Thomas Morgan and drummer Rudy Royston to be released August 14 on Blue Note Records. It follows two previous singles, the Civil Rights anthem “We Shall Overcome” and “Keep Your... read more
Acclaimed guitarist Bill Frisell has released “Keep Your Eyes Open,” the second single to be revealed from his forthcoming album Valentine featuring his trio with bassist Thomas Morgan and drummer Rudy Royston. “Keep Your Eyes Open,” which originally appeared on Frisell’s 1997 album Nashville, is accompanied... read more
Acclaimed guitarist Bill Frisell has announced his newest project Valentine — the debut recording of his trio with bassist Thomas Morgan and drummer Rudy Royston — which will be released August 14 on Blue Note Records. Frisell has also released the album’s closing track “We Shall Overcome,” the Civil Rights... read more
Bill Frisell has announced new 2020 tour dates with his HARMONY project that features the acclaimed guitarist with Petra Haden (voice), Hank Roberts (cello, voice), and Luke Bergman (acoustic guitar, baritone guitar, bass, voice). The band’s appearances will include concerts in San Francisco, Boston, Philadelphia,... read more
Guitarist Bill Frisell has released “God’s Wing’d Horse,” the second single to be revealed from his stunning Blue Note debut HARMONY, which will be released on October 4. Produced by his longtime collaborator Lee Townsend—and recorded by Tucker Martine at Flora Recording in Portland, Oregon—HARMONY... read more
Jul 27
Bill Frisell
VILLAGE AT WINONA JAZZ FEST :: Bill Frisell Trio featuring Gregory Tardy & Tim Angulo, Winona Lake United States
Aug 02
Bill Frisell
NEWPORT JAZZ FESTIVAL :: Bill Frisell FOUR featuring Gerald Clayton, Gregory Tardy & Johnathan Blake, Newport United States
Aug 03
Bill Frisell
JIMMY'S JAZZ & BLUES CLUB :: Bill Frisell FOUR ft. Johnathan Blake, Gerald Clayton, & Gregory Tardy, Portsmouth United States
Aug 06
Bill Frisell
VILLAGE VANGUARD :: Andrew Cyrille Quartet featuring David Virelles, Ben Street & Bill Frisell, New York United States
Aug 07
Bill Frisell
VILLAGE VANGUARD :: Andrew Cyrille Quartet featuring David Virelles, Ben Street & Bill Frisell, New York United States
Aug 08
Bill Frisell
VILLAGE VANGUARD :: Andrew Cyrille Quartet featuring David Virelles, Ben Street & Bill Frisell, New York United States
Aug 09
Bill Frisell
VILLAGE VANGUARD :: Andrew Cyrille Quartet featuring David Virelles, Ben Street & Bill Frisell, New York United States
Aug 10
Bill Frisell
VILLAGE VANGUARD :: Andrew Cyrille Quartet featuring David Virelles, Ben Street & Bill Frisell, New York United States
Aug 11
Bill Frisell
VILLAGE VANGUARD :: Andrew Cyrille Quartet featuring David Virelles, Ben Street & Bill Frisell, New York United States
Aug 13
Bill Frisell
VILLAGE VANGUARD :: Bill Frisell FOUR featuring Gregory Tardy, Gerald Clayton & Johnathan Blake, New York United States
Aug 14
Bill Frisell
VILLAGE VANGUARD :: Bill Frisell FOUR featuring Gregory Tardy, Gerald Clayton & Johnathan Blake, New York United States
Aug 15
Bill Frisell
VILLAGE VANGUARD :: Bill Frisell FOUR featuring Gregory Tardy, Gerald Clayton & Johnathan Blake, New York United States
Aug 16
Bill Frisell
VILLAGE VANGUARD :: Bill Frisell FOUR featuring Gregory Tardy, Gerald Clayton & Johnathan Blake, New York United States
Aug 17
Bill Frisell
VILLAGE VANGUARD :: Bill Frisell FOUR featuring Gregory Tardy, Gerald Clayton & Johnathan Blake, New York United States
Aug 18
Bill Frisell
VILLAGE VANGUARD :: Bill Frisell FOUR featuring Gregory Tardy, Gerald Clayton & Johnathan Blake, New York United States
Aug 20
Bill Frisell
VILLAGE VANGUARD :: Bill Frisell FIVE featuring Tony Scherr, Thomas Morgan, Kenny Wollesen & Rudy Royston, New York United States
Aug 21
Bill Frisell
VILLAGE VANGUARD :: Bill Frisell FIVE featuring Tony Scherr, Thomas Morgan, Kenny Wollesen & Rudy Royston, New York United States
Aug 22
Bill Frisell
VILLAGE VANGUARD :: Bill Frisell FIVE featuring Tony Scherr, Thomas Morgan, Kenny Wollesen & Rudy Royston, New York United States
Aug 23
Bill Frisell
VILLAGE VANGUARD :: Bill Frisell FIVE featuring Tony Scherr, Thomas Morgan, Kenny Wollesen & Rudy Royston, New York United States
Aug 24
Bill Frisell
VILLAGE VANGUARD :: Bill Frisell FIVE featuring Tony Scherr, Thomas Morgan, Kenny Wollesen & Rudy Royston, New York United States
Aug 25
Bill Frisell
VILLAGE VANGUARD :: Bill Frisell FIVE featuring Tony Scherr, Thomas Morgan, Kenny Wollesen & Rudy Royston, New York United States
Sep 01
Bill Frisell
DC JAZZ FESTIVAL :: Bill Frisell FOUR featuring Gerald Clayton, Gregory Tardy & Johnathan Blake, Washington United States
Oct 01
Bill Frisell
FULL MOON RESORT :: Masters of the Telecaster Guitar Camp, Big Indian United States
Oct 04
Bill Frisell
CARLSON FAMILY STAGE, NORTHROP :: Kit Downes: 'Southern Bodies' w/Bill Frisell & Musicians of the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, Minneapolis United States
Jan 24
Bill Frisell
BRAUNTEX THEATRE :: Bill Frisell Trio featuring Thomas Morgan & Rudy Royston, New Braunfels United States