ARCHIVES BILL KING'S SATURDAY NITE FISH FRY Main Stage - June 12, 2005 Pianist, composer and publisher, Bill King is a multi-talented musician whose recording credits include Night Passage Years, Moment’s Notice, Bill King and The Jazz Report All-Stars, and East Side Symphony. Originally from Jeffersonville Indiana, King spent his youth studying with W.C. Handy’s former pianist Eva Smith and Indiana University saxophonist-educator Jamey Aebersold. By the early 1960s, he had won 16 first place awards in classical piano and clarinet competitions. Soon after, he worked with a host of legendary artists including Oscar Peterson, Janis Joplin, Herbie Hancock and Linda Ronstadt. Bill King’s Saturday Nite Fish Fry was inaugurated a few years ago as a means for King and company to stay close to the roots of jazz and blues. The band explores and celebrates the music of the late 40s and early 50s. In 2002, the band released its debut CD, Jump Shout Rock da House to critical acclaim. Their latest album release, Rhythm & Soul, is a collaboration with soulful and charismatic vocalist, Shakura S’Aida, and is a blend of ‘roots’ rhythm & blues, blues and down home originals. The Fish Fry is composed of drummer Davide DiRenzo, guitarist Neil Chapman, bassist Scott Alexander, trumpeter William Sperandi, alto saxophonist Johnny Johnson, tenor saxophonist Bob Brough and baritone saxophonist Chris Gale. King currently publishes the Jazz Report Magazine, edits ejazznews.com and acts as artistic director for the Beaches International Jazz Festival and the Toronto International BBQ & Blues Festival. King was also chosen Producer of the Year at the 2004 National Jazz Awards.