William Mitchell Byers (May 1, 1927 – May 1, 1996) was an American jazz trombonist and arranger.
Early life
Byers was born in Los Angeles on May 1, 1927.
He suffered from arthritis from a young age and was unable to continue his plans of a career as a pianist.
Career
Byers picked up trombone and played with
Karl Kiffe before serving in the United States Army in 1944 and 1945.
[ "They Have a Monopoly on Talent, Plus! Children of Dr. and Mrs. Byers". The Van Nuys News and Valley Green Sheet. May 1, 1942. p. 15. Retrieved January 24, 2022.] In the second half of the 1940s he arranged and played trombone for
Georgie Auld,
Buddy Rich,
Benny Goodman,
Charlie Ventura, and
Teddy Powell.
Following this he composed for WMGM (AM) radio and television in New York City.
In the middle of the 1950s he was in Paris arranging; he also led a session of his own, released as
Jazz on the Left Bank, at this time.
Later in the 1950s in Europe he played with
Harold Arlen (1959–1960) and with the orchestra of
Quincy Jones.
He became Jones's assistant at
Mercury Records in the 1960s, and arranged for
Count Basie albums.
He also recorded some
Duke Ellington standards on his own.
He toured Europe and Japan alongside
Frank Sinatra in 1974.
Byers had extensive credits arranging and conducting for film,
and won the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Orchestrations for
City of Angels.
Personal life
Byers died in Malibu, California, on May 1, 1996.
Material from his career is held by the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C.
Discography
As leader/co-leader
-
The Jazz Workshop (RCA Victor, 1955)
-
New Sounds in Swing (Jazztone, 1956) with Joe Newman - also released as Byers' Guide
-
Jazz on the Left Bank (Epic, 1956) with Martial Solal
-
Impressions of Duke Ellington (Mercury, 1961)
As sideman
With Count Basie
-
More Hits of the 50's and 60's (Verve, 1963) - as arranger and conductor
-
Pop Goes the Basie (Reprise, 1965) - as arranger and conductor
-
Basie Swingin' Voices Singin' (ABC-Paramount, 1966) with the Alan Copeland Singers
With Bob Brookmeyer
-
Gloomy Sunday and Other Bright Moments (Verve, 1961)
With Al Cohn
-
Mr. Music (RCA Victor, 1955)
With Billy Eckstine
-
The Golden Hits of Billy Eckstine (Mercury, 1963) - as arranger
With Coleman Hawkins
-
The Hawk in Hi Fi (RCA Victor, 1956) - as arranger and conductor
With Al Jarreau
-
Breakin' Away (Warner Bros., 1981) - as arranger
With J. J. Johnson
-
Goodies (RCA Victor, 1965) as arranger/conductor
With Quincy Jones
-
The Birth of a Band! (Mercury, 1959)
-
Quincy Jones Explores the Music of Henry Mancini (Mercury, 1964)
-
Golden Boy (Mercury, 1964)
-
Quincy Plays for Pussycats (Mercury, 1959-65 1965)
-
The Great Wide World of Quincy Jones (Mercury, 1959)
With Lee Konitz
-
You and Lee (Verve, 1959)
With Jack McDuff
With Gary McFarland
-
The Jazz Version of "How to Succeed in Business without Really Trying" (Verve, 1962)
With Hal McKusick
With Carmen McRae
-
Something to Swing About (Kapp, 1959)
With Joe Newman
-
I Feel Like a Newman (Storyville, 1956)
With Lalo Schifrin
With Bud Shank
-
Windmills of Your Mind (Pacific Jazz, 1969)
With Charlie Shavers
-
Excitement Unlimited (Capitol, 1963)
With Julius Watkins
-
French Horns for My Lady (Philips, 1962) - as arranger
With Andy Williams
With Cootie Williams
-
Cootie Williams in Hi-Fi (RCA Victor, 1958)
With Kai Winding
With Frank Zappa
-
The Grand Wazoo (1972)
-
Waka/Jawaka (1972)
Further reading
External links
