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 composer, jazz pianist, arranger, and conductor. Billy Childs was born in Los Angeles, California, in the United States. He is known for blending jazz music with classical styles.

Early Life and Musical Start

Billy Childs began his musical journey at a young age. When he was 16, he attended the Community School of the Performing Arts. This school was supported by the University of Southern California. There, he learned about music theory and piano.

From 1975 to 1979, Childs studied at the University of Southern California. He earned a degree in composition, which means he learned how to write music.

Even as a teenager, Billy Childs was playing music professionally. He made his first recording in 1977 with the J. J. Johnson Quintet. This happened during a tour in Japan. He became well-known during the six years he played with trumpeter Freddie Hubbard's group, from 1978 to 1984.

Some of his early piano heroes included Herbie Hancock and Chick Corea. As a composer, he was inspired by classical musicians like Maurice Ravel and Igor Stravinsky.

Billy Childs has a sister named Kirsten Childs, who is a playwright.

Solo Music Albums

Billy Childs started releasing his own jazz albums in 1988. His first album was called Take for Example, This.... He released several successful albums on the Windham Hill Jazz label. These included Twilight Is Upon Us (1989), His April Touch (1992), and Portrait of a Player (1993).

Famous jazz pianist Chick Corea was impressed by Childs's work. He invited Childs to join his record label, Stretch Records. In 1995, Childs released I've Known Rivers on Stretch/GRP. He later released The Child Within in 1996.

Arranging Music for Others

Billy Childs is also a skilled arranger. An arranger takes a piece of music and decides which instruments will play which parts. They make the music sound full and exciting.

In 2000, Childs arranged, orchestrated, and conducted a project for singer Dianne Reeves. This project, called The Calling: Celebrating Sarah Vaughan, won a Grammy Award for Best Jazz Vocal Album.

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

Jazz Chamber Ensemble

The Ensemble in 2015

In 2001, Billy Childs created his own special group called a chamber jazz ensemble. This group combines jazz music with classical chamber music. It usually includes piano, bass, drums, acoustic guitar, harp, and woodwind instruments. Sometimes, they add a string quartet or a woodwind quintet.

Childs wanted to mix classical and jazz music in new ways. In 2005, his ensemble released their first album, Lyric, Jazz-Chamber Music, Vol. 1. This album was nominated for three Grammy awards in 2006. It won the award for Best Instrumental Composition for a song called "Into the Light."

Awards and Special Recognitions

Billy Childs has received many important awards and honors for his music.

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

Classical Music Projects

Billy Childs has been asked to write music for many famous classical groups. These are called "commissions."

• 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.
• 2004: He wrote "For Suzanne" for the Los Angeles Philharmonic, featuring singer Dianne Reeves.
• 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 Projects

Childs has also received many commissions to write jazz music.

• 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. This piece featured the Kronos Quartet.

Music Albums

Here are some of the albums Billy Childs has released as a band leader:

Billy Childs has also played as a sideman (a supporting musician) on albums for other artists, including Chris Botti and J. J. Johnson.