Biography
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.
Releases
In My Dreams - Bill Frisell
Orchestras - Bill Frisell
Four - Bill Frisell
Here It Is: A Tribute to Leonard Cohen
Valentine - Bill Frisell
HARMONY - Bill Frisell
Floratone - Floratone - Bill Frisell
Videos
Bill Frisell “First Look” with Don Was
Bill Frisell “First Look” With Don Was
BILL FRISELL “WALTZ FOR HAL WILLNER”
Bill Frisell “We Shall Overcome” (Live at the Village Vanguard)
Bill Frisell “First Look” with Don Was
Bill Frisell “Keep Your Eyes Open” (Official Video)
Bill Frisell “We Shall Overcome” (Official Video)
Bill Frisell “Everywhere”
Bill Frisell & Petra Haden “Lush Life” (The Engine Room Sessions)
Bill Frisell “Hard Times” (The Engine Room Sessions)
SPOTLIGHT
View All
BILL FRISELL “IN MY DREAMS”
By Evan Haga The guitarist and composer Bill Frisell — a “mild-mannered maverick [who] has made a colossal impact,” per the New Yorker — likes to remember a dream he had that transformed the way he thinks about music and his instrument. It occurred more than three decades ago, but Frisell can recall it today as if he just snapped awake, roused by a mix of fright and awe. In the... read more
BILL FRISELL “ORCHESTRAS”
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
BILL FRISELL FOUR
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
BILL FRISELL :: HARMONY
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
News
View All
BILL FRISELL SHARES “ISFAHAN” FROM NEW ALBUM “IN MY DREAMS”
Bill Frisell has released “Isfahan,” the latest single from his upcoming album In My Dreams, out February 27. Frisell’s fifth Blue Note album is a family reunion of sorts that brings some of the acclaimed guitarist’s closest friends together into a unique sextet featuring Jenny Scheinman on violin, Eyvind Kang... read more
BILL FRISELL CELEBRATES 75th BIRTHDAY WITH NEW ALBUM “IN MY DREAMS” & SPECIAL CONCERTS
Bill Frisell has announced the Feb. 27 release of his fifth Blue Note album In My Dreams, a family reunion of sorts that brings some of the acclaimed guitarist’s closest friends together into a unique sextet featuring Jenny Scheinman on violin, Eyvind Kang on viola, Hank Roberts on cello, Thomas Morgan on bass, and... read more
BLUE NOTE NOMINEES FOR THE 2025 GRAMMY AWARDS
Congratulations to all the Blue Note artists who received nominations for the 2025 GRAMMY Awards! BEST CONTEMPORARY INSTRUMENTAL ALBUM: Bill Frisell Orchestras The guitarist’s trio with bassist Thomas Morgan and drummer Rudy Royston collaborates with the Brussels Philharmonic and Umbria Jazz Orchestra on two... read more
PRESENTING BLUE NOTE REVIEW: VOLUME THREE – TRULY, MADLY, DEEPLEE MORGAN
Presenting Blue Note Review: Volume Three – TRULY, MADLY, DEEPLEE MORGAN, the long-awaited third edition of our acclaimed vinyl boxset series, which returns with an emphatic celebration of Blue Note legend Lee Morgan. Curated by Blue Note President Don Was, the set encapsulates the continuum of the legendary jazz... read more
BILL FRISELL SHARES NEW SINGLE “STRANGE MEETING” FROM HIS EXPANSIVE DOUBLE ALBUM “ORCHESTRAS”
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 ANNOUNCES APRIL 19 RELEASE OF “ORCHESTRAS”; DOUBLE ALBUM OF TRIO + ORCHESTRA COLLABORATIONS
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 RELEASES NEW SINGLE “HOLIDAY” FROM THE ALBUM “FOUR” OUT NOV. 11
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 TO RELEASE NEW ALBUM “FOUR” ON NOV. 11 FEATURING GREG TARDY, GERALD CLAYTON & JOHNATHAN BLAKE
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
BILL FRISELL “VALENTINE” :: NEW ALBUM OUT NOW
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
BILL FRISELL RELEASES NEW SINGLE “VALENTINE;” TITLE TRACK OF GUITARIST’S NEW TRIO ALBUM OUT AUG. 14
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
Live Dates
Sep 20
Bill Frisell
STATE THEATRE :: Carrie Rodriguez's Laboratorio featuring Bill Frisell, Austin United States
Sep 24
Bill Frisell
KUUMBWA JAZZ :: HARMONY FIVE feat. Petra Haden, Hank Roberts, Luke Bergman & Tim Angulo, Santa Cruz United States
Sep 25
Bill Frisell
THE FREIGHT :: HARMONY FIVE feat. Petra Haden, Hank Roberts, Luke Bergman & Tim Angulo, Berkeley United States
Sep 26
Bill Frisell
THE FREIGHT :: HARMONY FIVE feat. Petra Haden, Hank Roberts, Luke Bergman & Tim Angulo, Berkeley United States
Sep 27
Bill Frisell
CENTER FOR THE ARTS :: HARMONY FIVE - Petra Haden, Hank Roberts, Luke Bergman & Tim Angulo, Grass Valley United States
Sep 29
Bill Frisell
RAVEN PERFORMING ARTS THEATER :: HARMONY FIVE, Healdsburg United States
Sep 30
Bill Frisell
ZEBULON :: HARMONY FIVE Featuring Petra Haden, Hank Roberts, Luke Bergman & Tim Angulo, Los Angeles United States
Oct 14
Bill Frisell
BIRDLAND :: Ron Carter Duo featuring Bill Frisell, New York United States
Oct 15
Bill Frisell
BIRDLAND :: Ron Carter Duo featuring Bill Frisell, New York United States
Oct 16
Bill Frisell
BIRDLAND :: Ron Carter Duo featuring Bill Frisell, New York United States
Oct 17
Bill Frisell
BIRDLAND :: Ron Carter Duo featuring Bill Frisell, New York United States
Oct 22
Bill Frisell
LEIPZIGER JAZZTAGE :: Bill Frisell Trio featuring Luke Bergman & Tim Angulo, Leipzig Germany
Oct 24
Bill Frisell
JAZZ FESTIVAL UMEÅ :: Bill Frisell Trio featuring Luke Bergman & Tim Angulo, Umeå Sweden
Oct 27
Bill Frisell
ALHAMBRA :: Bill Frisell Trio featuring Luke Bergman & Tim Angulo, Genève Switzerland
Oct 28
Bill Frisell
ZIG ZAG JAZZ CLUB :: Bill Frisell Trio featuring Luke Bergman & Tim Angulo, Berlin Germany
Oct 29
Bill Frisell
PANČEVO JAZZ FESTIVAL :: Bill Frisell Trio featuring Luke Bergman & Tim Angulo, Pančevo Serbia
Oct 30
Bill Frisell
NUEJAZZ :: Bill Frisell Trio featuring Luke Bergman & Tim Angulo, Nürnberg Germany
Oct 31
Bill Frisell
TIVOLI VREDENBURG :: Bill Frisell Trio featuring Luke Bergman & Tim Angulo, Utrecht Netherlands
Nov 04
Bill Frisell
COSMOPOLITE SCENE :: Bill Frisell Trio featuring Luke Bergman & Tim Angulo, Oslo Norway
Nov 05
Bill Frisell
JAZZ DOCK :: Bill Frisell Trio featuring Luke Bergman & Tim Angulo, Prague Czechia
Nov 06
Bill Frisell
PORGY & BESS :: Bill Frisell Trio featuring Luke Bergman & Tim Angulo, Vienna Austria
Nov 07
Bill Frisell
JAZZMI - TRIENNALE MILANO TEATRO :: Bill Frisell Trio featuring Luke Bergman & Tim Angulo, Milano Italy
Nov 12
Bill Frisell
LOBERO THEATRE :: Charles Lloyd Quartet w/Bill Frisell, Larry Grenadier & Kweku Sumbry, Santa Barbara United States
Nov 15
Bill Frisell
DAKOTA :: Charles Lloyd Quartet w/Bill Frisell, Larry Grenadier & Kweku Sumbry, Minneapolis United States
Nov 18
Bill Frisell
BLUE NOTE NYC :: Charles Lloyd Quartet w/Bill Frisell, Larry Grenadier & Kweku Sumbry, New York United States
Nov 19
Bill Frisell
BLUE NOTE NYC :: Charles Lloyd Quartet w/Bill Frisell, Larry Grenadier & Kweku Sumbry, New York United States
Nov 21
Bill Frisell
NJPAC :: Charles Lloyd Quartet w/Bill Frisell, Larry Grenadier & Kweku Sumbry, Newark United States
Dec 13
Bill Frisell
DARYL'S HOUSE CLUB :: Bill Frisell Trio featuring Luke Bergman & Tim Angulo, Pawling United States
