Sunday, May 19^th, Bill Bell, The Jazz Professor returns to Polyrhythms Third Sunday Jazz Matinee & Workshop Series.  Legendary teacher and jazz musician, The Jazz Professor, comes to the Redstone Room, in the RME on the corner of 2^nd & Main, Davenport, IA., with his workshop to help demystify jazz at 3 pm, followed by a matinee concert from 6 – 8 pm.

Bill Bell, jazz pianist, composer, arranger has earned the title "Jazz Professor" for completing over 30 years of successful University and College jazz teaching.  Accompanying Bell are the supremely accomplished Ron Wilson on acoustic bass and Manuel Lopez III on drums.

One of five pioneer musicians, of local origin, honored in the River Music Experience gallery, Bell began his long musical career in Watertown, Mt. Zion Baptist Church, and United Township High School.  A graduate of Augustana and University of Iowa Bell began his teaching career in Traylor, IA.  He later migrated to the Bay Area where he became chairman of the Jazz Department at Alameda State College in Oakland and taught jazz improv at U.C. Berkley as well as Stanford University.  Hundreds of his students occupy prominent positions in both jazz and pop fields.  Most notable are trumpeter John Faddis, pianist Benny Green, drummer Will Kennedy, pianist Michael Wolfe and Sheila E. 

Bell's performance career as a pianist is equally distinguished. He has toured as musical director and piano accompanist for legendary jazz singer Carmen McRae. He has also worked with Joe Williams, Nancy Wilson, Anita Oday, Dianne Reeves, Lou Rawls and the Supremes. His credits also include work with instrumentalists Milt Jackson, Kenny Burrell, Louie Bellson, Benny Carter, Art Farmer, and Clark Terry.

An inveterate swinger, Bell notably fortified his devotion to swing with the production of three stellar CD’s: “The Jazz Professor” in 1995, “Just Swing Baby” in 2001, and “The Feeling of Jazz” 2009 which featured "Blues Cause It’s Blues".  Bell, whose sterling musical career spans several decades as a teacher, composer and brilliant jazz pianist, says about this CD "... The Feeling of Jazz establishes the fact that BLUES lies at the foundation of JAZZ." He goes on to say, "There is some-thing magical about jazz...in all its various forms and the attempt here is to celebrate the close relationship in contrasting styles."

"The Jazz Professor has been a friend, confidant and inspiration to Polyrhythms Third Sunday Jazz Series” said Nate Lawrence, a Polyrhythms Director.  “Bill has always been a local hero and role model to kids because not only does he live and teach music, he teaches life.” 

Polyrhythms Third Sunday Jazz Series is scheduled for Sunday, May 19^th, and features an all-ages workshop at 3 pm, followed by the matinee concert from 6-8 pm.  Admission to the workshop session is Free for Kids, $5 for adults.  General admission for the 6 - 8 pm Concert is $10 or $15 for reserved seats.  For ticket information, call Polyrhythms: 309 373-0790.  For more information, visit our website: www.polyrhythms.org.

Doors open at 5:30 pm.  Come experience jazz “live”, like it was meant to be enjoyed… Come and hear the hottest jazz in the Quad Cities.  Enjoy a set or stay for the whole show.  Experience the magic of the music at the Third Sunday Jazz Series; Sunday, May 19^th, featuring Bill Bell, The Jazz Professor.

Polyrhythms Third Sunday Jazz Series is made possible with major support of the Riverboat Development Authority, the Scott County Regional Authority, and the RME as well as the support of Davenport Clarion Hotel, Bowman Accounting, KALA, IL Senator Mike Jacobs, Peeples Heating & Air Conditioning, the Austin Family Charitable Fund, Greatest Grains and DJ Mixxin Mel.