THE OXFORD COMPANION TO JAZZ

WINNER OF "BEST JAZZ BOOK 2001," Jazz Journalists' Association

Bill is the editor of The Oxford Companion to Jazz, a collection of 60 new essays by 59 distinguished jazz musicians, scholars, and critics.
(Oxford University Press, 2000)

"More than a treatise on jazz, this book is a compilation of articles on all phases of the music contributed by musicians and professional writers who speak for the art firsthand.  Highly recommended for everyone interested in jazz."

-- Benny Carter

"No book on jazz has ever attempted the scope of this monumental collection of 60 studies by 59 writers.  Commissioned and organized by editor Bill Kirchner into an interlocking mosaic, its 800 pages examine and evaluate every aspect of the origins, ongoing development and offshoots of jazz--and its myriad personalities--to a degree which makes this the one indispensable publication in the field.  It is both a reference work for the serious scholar and a rewarding book to be dipped into by the casual reader."

-- George Avakian

"...a durable addition to the literature of the music. ...these essays should lead to an irresistible urge to hear more."

-- Nat Hentoff, Los Angeles Times Book Review

"...the over-all writing makes for some of the very best reading pleasure I have ever encountered among jazz texts!"

-- Lee Bash, Jazz Educators Journal

"Not all the essays are equally successful, nor could they even be; but as a whole, the book -- the first of its kind -- asserts itself as a milestone among publications dedicated to jazz: an absorbing reading and a reference book which in the future will be difficult not to take into account."

-- Francesco Martinelli, Musica Jazz (Italy)

"A significant achievement that should reside on every jazz bookshelf...."

-- Larry Appelbaum, Jazz Times

To find more information or purchase this book online, click on .

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A MILES DAVIS READER

Bill was editor of A Miles Davis Reader, an anthology of writings that was published in 1997 by the Smithsonian Institution Press.

"More than any other book, this one shows why Davis' music will be remembered
long after his quirks have been forgotten."

--Aaron Cohen, Booklist     

"...a fascinating anthology of writing about Miles Davis."

--Bill Crow, Allegro     

"From now on, anyone researching or writing about the music of Miles Davis is going to have to start here."

--Stuart Kremsky, IAJRC Journal     

To find more information or purchase this book online, click on .

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EDUCATOR

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TEACHING

NEW SCHOOL UNIVERSITY, NEW YORK CITY:
Bill has been teaching in the Jazz and Contemporary Music Program of the New School University since 1991. He teaches Advanced Composing/Arranging, Jazz History, and Score Analysis and gives private lessons in Composing/Arranging, Improvisation, and Saxophone.

NEW JERSEY CITY UNIVERSITY:
Bill teaches Jazz History in the Jazz Department's Master's Program.

MANHATTAN SCHOOL OF MUSIC:
Bill teaches a Duke Ellington course in the Jazz Department.

OTHER:
Since the late 1970s, Bill has given clinics, lectures, and concerts all over the United States as well as overseas.  He has worked extensively with students on all levels, from kindergarten to college.   His subjects include jazz appreciation, jazz history, improvisation, ensemble techniques, woodwinds, and composing-arranging.

PAPERS

In 1995, he presented a paper on Davis's Birth of the Cool recordings and their influence as part of a
"Miles Davis Conference" at Washington University in St. Louis.

CLINICS

In August 2000, Bill was Composer-in-Residence with the American Jazz Philharmonic (Henry Mancini Institute) in Los Angeles. He is available for clinics, concerts, and artist residencies.
Contact Bill by email by clicking kirch@mindspring.com

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RECORDINGS

In the past decade, Bill has been heavily involved with jazz reissue recordings:
producing, writing liner notes, and selecting and sequencing compilations.

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AWARD-WINNING REISSUE PROJECTS

1996 Grammy® for "Best Album Notes"
COLUMBIA/MOSAIC:

Miles Davis and Gil Evans:

The Complete Columbia Studio Recordings

"...composer-arranger-author Bill Kirchner puts his finger on the magic of this most amazing team...."

--Bill Milkowski, Jazz Times                            

1995 NAIRD Indie award for "Best Liner Notes"
SMITHSONIAN COLLECTION OF RECORDINGS:
Big Band Renaissance: The Evolution of the Jazz Orchestra
(a 5-CD survey of orchestral jazz from 1941 to 1991), which Bill co-produced, and for which he also picked the 75 selections and wrote the award-winning 88-page booklet.

"...this set is an absolute treat."
--Francis Davis, Stereo Review

"...the whole box surges, jumps, and, at times, even rocks
with the vitality, grace and power only big bands can deliver."

--Gene Seymour, New York Newsday

2001 Award for "Best Jazz Book"

THE OXFORD COMPANION TO JAZZ
Bill Kirchner, Editor
Jazz Journalists' Association

"A significant achievement that should reside on every jazz bookshelf...."
-- Larry Appelbaum, Jazz Times

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LINER NOTES

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REISSUE PROJECTS

MOSAIC
The Complete Solid State Recordings of the Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra
The Complete Verve Gerry Mulligan Concert Band Sessions

VERVE
Jazz Masters compilations:  Gerry Mulligan, Oliver Nelson, Maynard Ferguson, and Harry James
Lester Young Trio
Gary McFarland/Bob Brookmeyer
The Best of Bill Evans On Verve
The Complete Bill Evans On Verve
Dizzy Gillespie: Perceptions
The Clarke-Boland Big Band: Change of Scenes
The Complete Jazz at the Philharmonic on Verve
Charlie Parker Big Band
Stan Getz: Award Winner
Stan Getz: Finest Hour
Bill Evans: Finest Hour
Roland Kirk: Finest Hour
Gene Ammons/Sonny Stitt: Boss Tenors in Orbit

BMG
Coleman Hawkins: A Retrospective, 1929-1963
Woody Herman/Buddy Rich: Battle of the Bands
Frank Sinatra/Tommy Dorsey: Voice of the Century

DENON/SAVOY
Charlie Parker: The Complete Savoy and Dial Studio Recordings, 1944-1948

FANTASY
Joe Henderson: The Milestone Years
Eric Dolphy: The Complete Prestige Recordings

COLUMBIA/LEGACY
The Best of Miles Davis and Gil Evans
Miles Davis: Porgy and Bess
Gerry Mulligan: Mullenium

IMPULSE
John Coltrane: Impressions

NEW RELEASES

VERVE
Joe Henderson Big Band

CHALLENGE
Lee Konitz: Dialogues
Bob Brookmeyer with the Ed Partyka Jazz Orchestra: Madly Loving You

A-RECORDS
Bill Kirchner Nonet: Trance Dance
Bill Kirchner: Some Enchanted Evening

SMITHSONIAN COLLECTION OF RECORDINGS
Music of James P. Johnson and Fats Waller

NEW WORLD
Vanguard Jazz Orchestra: Lickety Split

HEP
East Down Septet: Channel Surfing

BROWNSTONE
John McNeil/Kenny Berger: Hip Deep

HUGO'S MUSIC
Nathen Page: Page 2

CATS PAW
Peter Brainin/Steve Johns: Ceremony

PLANET ARTS
Ted Rosenthal-Bob Brookmeyer: One Night in Vermont

GAZELL
Putte Wickman-John Lewis: Slukefter Blues

MILESTONE
Lee Konitz-Alan Broadbent: More Live-Lee

KNIGHT TIME JAZZ
NJCU Jazz Ensembles

EVENING STAR
Bill Kirchner: Everything I Love

NOHJOH MUSIC
Wil Swindler/Stephen Smith: Chamber Jazz Ensemble

CRAZY SCOT
Dick Johnson: Star Dust & Beyond

JAZZ EXCURSION
Nathan Eklund Group: The Crooked Line

OA2
The Here & Now: Break of Day

RESONANCE
Claudio Roditi: Brazilliance x 4

WWW.CARLTONHOLMES.COM
Carlton Holmes: You Me And I

WWW.HOLLIROSS.COM
Holli Ross: You'll See

WWW.MARKLOPEMAN.COM
Mark Lopeman: Nice Work If You Can Get It

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