Bill Washer was born in Ridley Park, PA and grew up in Rochester, N.Y. He began studying guitar when he was 10 years old and began playing with other kids in his neighborhood. In High School he formed a pop/blues band which performed at local High Schools, coffee houses and private events.
He moved to Boston to attend the Berklee School of Music where he studied with Mick Goodrick and began pursuing jazz. He met drummer Lenny White through bassist Don Pate and Lenny recommended him to saxophonist Joe Henderson. Trombonist Curtis Fuller was in the band (along with Lenny, bassist Stanley Clarke, alto saxophonist Pete Yellin, pianist George Cables) and hired Bill to play on his recording "Crankin" which was his first jazz recording. He also began touring with Stevie Wonder, who he met through trombonist Art Baron around this time.
After moving to New York he began freelancing doing shows, recording work etc. and touring. He met pianist/saxophonist Marc Cohen (now Copeland) through pianist Andy Laverne. Marc recommended him to play in a rock band that performed music for the Joffrey Ballet, where he met his wife, Trinette Singleton.
Besides Stevie Wonder and Joe Henderson his credits include Gato Barbieri, Liza Minnelli, Ashford and Simpson, Whitney Houston, Teruo Nakamura, Steve Grossman, Barry Miles, Bob Mintzer, Jason Miles, Manu Dubongo and others. His Broadway resume includes The Lion King, West Side Story, In the Heights, Marlow, Hair, Ave. Q and more.
He currently lives in the Lehigh Valley of Pennsylvania where he continues to perform, teach and compose.
