Billy Childs facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Billy Childs
Childs, 2008
Background information
Birth name	William Edward Childs
Born	(1957-03-08) March 8, 1957 (age 68) Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Genres	Jazz
Occupation(s)	Musician
Instruments	Piano
Years active	1977–present
Labels	Stretch Records
Associated acts	Los Angeles Philharmonic

William Edward Childs (born March 8, 1957) is an American musician. He is a talented jazz pianist, a composer who writes music, and an arranger who helps shape songs. Billy Childs also conducts, meaning he leads musical groups. He is from Los Angeles, California, in the United States.

Early musical journey

When Billy Childs was 16, he went to a special music school. It was called the Community School of the Performing Arts. Here, he learned about music theory and how to play the piano.

Later, from 1975 to 1979, Billy studied at the University of Southern California. He earned a degree in music composition. This means he learned how to create his own music.

Even as a teenager, Billy was playing music professionally. He made his first recording in 1977. This was with the J. J. Johnson Quintet during a tour in Japan. Billy became well-known after playing with trumpeter Freddie Hubbard's group for six years. Some of his early musical heroes were pianists like Herbie Hancock and Chick Corea. He also admired composers like Paul Hindemith.

Billy's sister is Kirsten Childs, who is a playwright.

Solo albums

Billy Childs started releasing his own jazz albums in 1988. His first album was called Take for Example, This.... He released several popular albums on the Windham Hill Jazz label. These included Twilight Is Upon Us (1989) and His April Touch (1992).

Later, Chick Corea invited Billy to join his record label, Stretch Records. Billy's album I've Known Rivers came out on Stretch/GRP in 1995.

Arranging music

An arranger takes a song and decides how different instruments will play it. In 2000, Billy Childs arranged music for Dianne Reeves's project. This project, called The Calling: Celebrating Sarah Vaughan, won a Grammy Award.

Billy has also arranged music for many other famous artists. These include Sting, Yo-Yo Ma, and Michael Bublé.

Jazz chamber ensemble

Billy Childs' Jazz-Chamber Ensemble in 2015

In 2001, Billy Childs started a special music group. It's called a chamber jazz ensemble. This group includes instruments like piano, bass, drums, and acoustic guitar. It also has a harp and woodwind instruments. Sometimes, they add a string quartet or a woodwind quintet.

Billy wanted to mix classical music with jazz. Their first album, Lyric, Jazz-Chamber Music, Vol. 1, came out in 2005. It was nominated for three Grammy Awards. The album won a Grammy for the best instrumental composition, "Into the Light."

Awards and honors

Billy Childs has won many awards for his music:

• 2006: Grammy Award for Best Instrumental Composition, "Into the Light"
• 2006: Grammy Award, Best Arrangement Accompanying a Vocalist, "What Are You Doing The Rest of Your Life?"
• 2009: Guggenheim Fellowship
• 2011: Grammy Award for Best Instrumental Composition, "The Path Among the Trees"
• 2013: Doris Duke Artist Award
• 2015: American Academy of Arts and Letters Composer Award
• 2015: Grammy Award for Best Arrangement, Instrumental and Vocals, "New York Tendaberry"
• 2018: Grammy Award for Best Jazz Instrumental Album, Rebirth
• 2018: Outstanding Alumnus, University of Southern California Thornton School of Music
• 2024: Grammy Award for Best Jazz Instrumental Album, The Winds of Change

Classical music he wrote

Billy Childs has been asked to write music for many classical groups. This is called a commission.

• 1993: He wrote "Tone Poem for Holly" for the Los Angeles Philharmonic.
• 1994: He wrote "Fanfare for the United Races of America" for the Los Angeles Philharmonic.
• 1997: He wrote "A Day in the Forest of Dreams" for the Dorian Wind Quintet.
• 2005: He wrote "The Voices of Angels" for the Los Angeles Master Chorale.
• 2010: He wrote "Concerto for Violin and Orchestra" for the Detroit Symphony.

Jazz music he wrote

Billy Childs has also received commissions to write jazz music.

• 1992: He wrote "Chamber Orchestra Music" for the Grenoble Jazz Festival.
• 1994: He wrote "Concerto Piano and JazzChamber Orchestra" for the Monterey Jazz Festival.
• 2004: He wrote "The Fierce Urgency of Now" for the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra.
• 2010: He wrote "Music for Two Quartets" for the Monterey Jazz Festival.

Discography

As leader

As sideman

Billy Childs has also played piano or other instruments on albums by other artists. This is called being a "sideman." With Chris Botti

• When I Fall In Love (Columbia, 2004)

With Lou Rawls

• Seasons 4 U (Rawls & Brokaw, 1998)

With Bunky Green

• Healing the Pain (Delos, 1990)

With J. J. Johnson and Nat Adderley

• The Yokohama Concert (Pablo Live, 1978)
• Concepts in Blue (Pablo Today, 1981)
• Chain Reaction: Yokohama Concert, Vol. 2 (Pablo, 2002) – recorded in 1977