Bill Perkins was a tenor saxophonist and flutist who was a prominent figure in the West Coast jazz scene from the 1950s onwards. He was born in San Francisco, but grew up in Chile, where his father worked as a mining engineer, before serving in the US Navy in WWII. After the war he gained a music degree in Santa Barbara.

During the 1950s he played in the big bands of Jerry Wald, Woody Herman and Stan Kenton. In the late 1950s he became a band leader himself. He recorded his sessions with pianist John Lewis on the 'Grand Encounter' album in 1956. Other notable sessions were with Art Pepper and Richie Kamuca.

During the 1960s he also worked as a recording engineer. Perkins recorded numerous albums, including the 1978 release 'Confluence'. From 1970 to 1992 Perkins was a member of The Tonight Show Band. He was well-known for his work with The Lighthouse All Star Band in the 1980s, the revived house band of the Lighthouse Café in Hermosa Beach, led by Shorty Rogers and Bud Shank. Perkins was also a member of the Bud Shank Sextet.

In his later years he played with pianist Frank Strazzeri and Bill Holman's band. He died in 2003 at the age of 79.

Bill Perkins

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