H
is fingers float across the
ivory keys, captivating listeners
in elevators across the nation.
His fingers float across the ivory
keys. It’s a way of life, a passion, a
talent. Billy Shields began playing
piano at age five, and went on
to become known worldwide.
By age 12, Shields was playing in
bands. By 18, he was touring the
country performing six nights a
week. True to the 1970’s, they were
playing rock and roll by bands
like Emerson, Lake and Palmer.
He started playing with Dan and
Frankie Toller in the early 70’s, where
he got his first taste of jazz. When his
rock band broke up, Shields knew it
was time to get serious about music.
Leaving his small town in Indiana, he
moved to California to study Berkley
School Jazz Theory under the famous
Allen Rowe, who was downbeat
soloist of the year, two years running.
Gaining experience playing with top
jazz artists in Los Angeles, Shields was
soon signed by RSVP Record label.
In 1985 he recorded his first criticallyacclaimed CD, Shieldstone. When
Billy Shields
Jazz Pianist
Written by Rachel Kaylor
his record label asked who he wanted
to play on the CD, Shields had high
aspirations, but fate was on his side.
“Everything just kind of fell together,”
said Shields. “He was the last piece of
the puzzle, which was really cool.”
“Three Deep hopes to impact
the smooth jazz scene with
a fresh sound,” said Shields.
Shields asked Freddie Hubbard,
famous American jazz trumpeter,
Jack DeJohnette, one of the most
influential jazz drummers of the
20th century, John Abercrombie, a