Bill Summers (musician)


Bill Summers is an American Afro-Cuban jazz/Latin jazz percussionist, a multi-instrumentalist who plays primarily on conga drums.

Career

In the 1970s, he founded Bill Summers & Summers Heat together with Bo Freeman, Calvin Tillery, Carla Vaughn, Claytoven Richardson, Earl Freeman, Freddie Washington, George Spencer, Hadley Caliman, James Levi, Jeff Lewis, Larry Batiste, Leo Miller, Lori Ham, Michael Sasaki, Munyungo Jackson, Paul Van Wageningen, Ray Obiedo, Rodney Franklin, Scott Roberts and Tom Poole.
The group produced 7 albums between 1977 and 1983 :Cayenne Straight to the bankOn Sunshine Jam the box Call it what you want Seventeen London Style
During the 1990s, Summers played with Los Hombres Calientes along with co-leader of the group, trumpeter Irvin Mayfield and Jason Marsalis. However, Summers has a much longer musical career, often working behind the scenes on film scores for various movies such as The Color Purple and the television miniseries Roots with Quincy Jones. He also played with Herbie Hancock during The Headhunters years, and is mentioned in passing by the liner notes of The Headhunters' 2003 release Evolution Revolution as contributing to that recording. His former wife is Yvette Bostic-Summers, who often sings on Los Hombres' albums.

Discography

As leader

Feel the Heat Cayenne Straight to the Bank On Sunshine Call it What You Want – US No. 129Jam the Box – US No. 92Seventeen London Style Iroko The Essence of Kwanzaa
  • ''Studies in Bata: Sacred Drum of the Yoruba, Havana to Matanzas''

As a member

The HeadhuntersSurvival of the Fittest – US No. 126Straight from the Gate Return of the Headhunters Evolution Revolution On Top: Live in Europe Platinum
Zawinul SyndicateLost Tribes
Los Hombres CalientesLos Hombres Calientes Vol. 2 Vol. 3 New Congo Square
  • ''Vol. 4: Vodou Dance''

As sideman

With Gato BarbieriTropico Passion and Fire
With Gary BartzMusic Is My Sanctuary Love Affair
With John BeasleyCauldron A Change of Heart
With Harry Connick Jr.Every Man Should Know Smokey Mary
With Norman ConnorsLove from the Sun Saturday Night Special
With Johnny HammondForever Taurus Storm Warning Don't Let the System Get You
With Herbie HancockHead Hunters Thrust Man-Child Flood Sunlight Directstep Feets, Don't Fail Me Now Mr. Hands Autodrive Dis Is da Drum Omaha Civic Auditorium, 17th November 1975
With Eddie HendersonInside Out Mahal Runnin' to Your Love
With Joe HendersonBlack Miracle Black Narcissus
With Quincy JonesRoots The Color Purple Back on the Block
With Kimiko KasaiRound and Round Butterfly
With Kenny LogginsLeap of Faith The Unimaginable Life
With David "Fathead" NewmanConcrete Jungle Keep the Dream Alive Scratch My Back
With Shawn PhillipsRumplestiltskin's Resolve Spaced
With The Pointer SistersThat's a Plenty Steppin' ABC
With Dianne ReevesNever Too Far I Remember
With Sonny RollinsThe Way I Feel Easy Living Don't Ask Love at First Sight Silver City
With Patrice RushenShout It Out Patrice Pizzazz
With VinxRooms in My Fatha's House I Love My Job The Storyteller Lips' Stretched Out The Mood I'm In
With others