Bio

The only way to describe Bill’s playing is you have to see it to believe it. He is a seasoned, classically trained bass player who can caress his instrument with the gentle beauty of Charles Mingus or Jaco Pastorius, lay down that fat, milky groove or blow you away with bone-breaking chops and mind-altering harmonic inventiveness.

Bill Ferri began his formal training in jazz and classical music at age 14 under the guidance of Jesse Bastos, bass player for the renown Johnny A, and, later, with Dr. Steven Lajoie, who heads the Jazz Department at Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI).  Bill has also had the pleasure of studying privately with Bill Miele, who has performed with such acts as Tavares, Greg Abate and the John Allmark Band.

Since the fall of 2004, Bill has been collaborating with the New Works Tradition Project at Brown University.  New Works Tradition is a dance company that performs for the Brown University Spring Festival of Dance as well as other special occasions.

Bill’s innovative approach to playing bass, which he adapted from learning a flamenco guitar technique and applying it the a four-string bass, is quickly gaining him recognition throughout the region as one of the area’s more creative and talented musicians.

Currently, Bill continues to perform with many different and diverse projects, while teaching bass and piano lessons privately and completing his degree in Jazz Composition.

Notable Venues Where Bill has Performed:

Brown University, Providence, R.I.
U.R.I. (University of Rhode Island), North Kingston, R.I.
Madeira Portuguese Fest, New Bedford, Ma.
Providence Performing Arts Center (PPAC), Providence, R.I.
New England College, Henniker, N.H.
Zeiterion Performing Arts Center, New Bedford, Ma.
The Call/The Century Lounge, Providence, R.I.
The Marriot, Stoughton, MA.
Woonsocket Stadium, Woonsocket, R.I.
Bella Vista Restaurant, Providence, R.I.
Biltmore Hotel, Providence, R.I.

Musicians Bill has performed with and continues to perform with:

Marcus Monteiro (alto sax)
Peter Antunes (drummer)
Matt Antunes (drummer)
John Fernandez (guitarist)
Adam Go (tenor and alto sax)
Jon Latourneau (guitarist)
Mike Erickson (guitarist)
Jonathan Auerbach (guitar/singer)

Bands Bill has performed with and continues to perform with:

Shipyard Wreck (blues rock band)
New Works Tradition (Brown University)
The Adam Go Quartet (Jazz group)
Mike Erickson Band (instrumental funk rock jazz group)
Marcus Monteiro Quartet (MM4) (instrumental jazz jungle group)
Blue Wild Gypsy (Jimmy Hendrix tribute band)
Jonathan Auerbach band (rock and roll group)