William Clarence “Billy” Eckstine was a vocalist and bandleader of jazz and bop big band music. He was born on July 8, 1914 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvannia and passed away on March 8, 1993 in Pittsburg at the age of 78. In 1939 Eckstine joined Earl Hines’ Grand Terrace Orchestra and stayed with the band as vocalist and occasionally, trumpeter, until 1943. In 1944, he formed his own big band which was a source for young musicians who would reshape jazz by the end of the decade, including Dizzy Gillespie, Dexter Gordon, Miles Davis, Art Blakey, Charlie Parker, and Fats Navarro. The Billy Eckstine Orchestra was the first bop big-band. He was touring frequently with his band across the country and Europe. He became popularly known as Mr.B and except for vocals, he was also playing trumpet, valve trombone and guitar. Even though, the collaboraton between Quincy Jones and Billy Eckstine started in the early 60's, in 1976 they collaborated again and the result was a s...
