Bill Summers Concerts

Experience Bill Summers

Bill Summers is a highly influential American percussionist, composer, and educator renowned for his pioneering work blending jazz, funk, Latin, and world music. Born in 1939, Summers began his professional career in the 1960s backing artists like Marlena Shaw and Herbie Mann. He gained significant recognition as a founding member of the innovative fusion group, Headhunters, alongside Herbie Hancock from 1973-1975, contributing significantly to albums like *Head Hunters* and *Thrust*.

Summers’ distinctive style incorporates a wide array of percussion instruments – congas, bongos, timbales, steelpan, and various hand percussion – often layered with electronic effects. Beyond Headhunters, he’s collaborated extensively with artists including Quincy Jones, Kenny Loggins, and Earth, Wind & Fire.

A dedicated educator for over three decades at UCLA's Ethnomusicology Department, Summers fostered generations of percussionists. He released several solo albums showcasing his compositional skills and virtuosity including *Secrets* (1985) and *Mystic Journey* (1994). His impact on contemporary music continues through his recordings and the legacy of students he mentored.