Bill Coon Quartet

Bill’s formative years began in Montreal, where he studied performance and composition at Concordia University and began writing for large jazz ensembles Upon graduating he taught jazz guitar studies at Concordia where he later directed the guitar ensemble and taught jazz arranging. Bill’s sixteen year musical partnership with internationally renowned jazz vocalist Denzal Sinclaire has produced several recordings including Mona Lisa, the Juno nominated CD I Found Love, as well as television specials, radio shows and performances at all major jazz festivals in Canada.

He has performed with award winning artists such as Jimmy Heath, Eddie Daniels, Dr. Lonnie Smith, Dee Daniels, P.J. Perry, Campbell Ryga and Brad Turner. Some of his more notable collaborations have been with vocalist/pianist Denzal Sinclaire and hip-hop artist K-OS.

Bill performs regularly with Two Much Guitar (a collaboration with legendary guitarist Oliver Gannon), the Bill Coon Quartet featuring Ross Taggart, the BC Double Quartet (jazz quartet and string quartet), Jill Townsend Big Band, Jennifer Scott, Wow Jazz Orchestra, Kevin Elaschuk Trio, Kate Hammett-Vaughan and Miles Black. His keen interest in Brazilian music has inspired performances with Ray Piper and Tom Keenlyside in the Choro ensemble Gostosinho.

In addition to a busy performance and recording schedule, Bill is in high demand as an educator. He teaches arranging, composition and jazz guitar at Capilano University in North Vancouver and is a clinician and adjudicator for music festivals throughout Canada.