Calvin Hill

American jazz bassist, born June 27, 1945; Bridgeport, Connecticut, USA.
Hill began extensive music instruction at the age of ten, playing trumpet, trombone and saxophone in school bands before switching to the double bass at the age of 17. He took private lessons from Richard Davis, completed a bachelor's degree at the Berklee School of Music and earned a master's degree in special education from Hunter College. Hill began his professional career as a bassist in Boston nightclubs, where he accompanied Billy Eckstine, Mel Tormé, Mose Allison, John Lee Hooker, the Kirby Stone Four and Matt Monro. During his time in Boston he met Joanne Brackeen, with whom he still plays today. Hill moved to New York City in 1969, where he initially played in McCoy Tyner's band ("Sahara", 1972, "Song for My Lady" 1973). Between 1973 and 1975 he toured with various bands of Pharoah Sanders, with whom he also recorded the albums "Village of the Pharoahs", "Elevation" and "Live in Paris 1975". In 1977 he played with Fred Hersch (at Bradley's, New York) and performed with Betty Carter in Europe, including at the Willisau Jazz Festival. Between 1978 and 1982 he was a member of Max Roach's combos, with whom he recorded several albums; he can also be seen with Roach's quartet in the video Jazz in America. He then worked with Bob Moses and Joe Locke, as well as with Rory Stuart and the saxophonist John Shaw. He was also a member of Michael Carvin's band, with whom he recorded several albums. He has also worked with George Coleman, Joanne Brackeen, Chet Baker, Billy Eckstine, the Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra, Sonny Stitt, James Moody, the singer Marlena Shaw, Larry Coryell and in quartets under the direction of Connie Crothers and Lenny Popkin as well as Crothers and the alto saxophonist Richard Tabnik. He can also be heard on albums with Byard Lancaster, Lou Donaldson, Gordon Lee, Lee Konitz, Junior Mance, Armen Donelian and Michael Cochrane; he also participated in the Jazz-a-Confronto productions of Enrico Rava and Massimo Urbani. Between 1966 and 2007 he was involved as a bassist in 61 jazz recordings. He also led his own bands, with whom he created his album I Can't Give You Anything But Love (2005). Hill has also taught at Long Island University, Housatonic Community College in Bridgeport, Mannes College of Music, and the New School, as well as at a number of schools in New York City and Bergen County in New Jersey. Since 2013, he has organized the annual open-air concert series Jazz under the Stars in Englewood, New Jersey.