CMA is its members. And this week, we celebrate one of our longtime members: Bill Ware. An ambitious composer and daring performer, the vibraphonist and composer has been a CMA Member since 2003.
Below, Bill chats with us about membership, film scoring, and an impactful moment from his teens.
Why and when did you join CMA?
In 2003, I was at a point in my career when I was orchestrating the Deborah Harry/Jazz Passengers songbook (for performances with the Buffalo Philharmonic) and developing my own symphonic works. CMA felt like the right home for that kind of creative ambition. In 2019, I applied for the New Jazz Works grant. I wasn’t selected, but I’m glad I applied; the feedback was constructive and useful. Later, I served as a panelist for a grant, which was both fun and illuminating. CMA has been woven into my life for a long time.
What’s coming up for you?
I’m continuing a deeply rewarding partnership with Milestone Films founders Dennis Doros and Amy Heller, creating new scores for classic silent films. I’m also releasing a series of albums on Bandcamp under the banner Vibes on Fire, performing Latin Jazz and salsa with musicians from South America and longtime collaborators.
Tell us about an impactful moment in your musical life
When I was 16 or 17, my father took me to a drum lesson with the great Freddie Waits, and I was just done. He was on another level entirely. I thought I was probably never going to be able to do what this man was doing. I put the drums down and got serious about the vibraphone. After that, my father pointed me towards JazzMobile, an organization founded by Billy Taylor, and that’s where everything really opened up.
