![]() He just recently graduated from Western Michigan University with his masters’ degree in music. While still working as an in-demand sideman, Bill has also begun leading his own trio throughout the Midwest. Since then he has become highly in-demand both as a sideman and bandleader performing in venues and festivals such as The Jazz Showcase, Andy’s Jazz Club, The Green Mill, Winter’s Jazz Club, Merriman’s Playhouse, Chicago Theater, Blue Note Beijing, JC Club, Old Town School of Folk Music, Hard Rock Café, House of Blues, Grant Park, the Chicago Jazz Festival, Hyde Park Jazz Festival and more. After graduating he quickly became part of Chicago’s Jazz and Salsa scenes, while also working as a chorale director, educator and clinician – conducting numerous jazz/improvisation master classes in Chicago, China, Korea, Myanmar and Singapore. In 2009 Bill began his jazz piano studies on scholarship at Columbia CollegeĬhicago. Joseph Michigan where he performs at various venues throughout Southwest Michigan and the Michiana area.īill Cessna is a Chicago based pianist paying homage to the great tradition of jazz piano- playing iconic repertoire, as well as presenting original material in the same idiom, with a mission to present memorable musical experiences for listeners of all ages and nationalities. From simple folk, to Beatles-influenced rock, delta blues, Motown-flavored R&B, country or Swing Jazz, his music reflects elements from all these styles of music. ![]() In recent years, Jimmy has fallen back in love with the blues and plays songs by many of the great blues legends such as Robert Johnson, Muddy Waters and Eric Clapton. As he began to listen to swing and jazz, he developed more interest in songwriting, especially the music from the American Songbook by Irving Berlin, Cole Porter and the Gershwins. Over the next several years, he played in various types of bands including folk, bluegrass, country and rock and roll. He began by teaching himself songs by the Beatles, Bob Dylan and acoustic music of the late 60’s and early 70’s. He started playing guitar at age 19 and immediately fell in love with the instrument. ![]() “Americana rock and roots” is the way Jimmy describes the music that he plays. ![]()
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