Quick Facts
Biography
Bill Reichenbach Sr., (actually William Frank Reichenbach Sr.) (born December 18, 1923 in Washington, DC; † 16 May 2008 in Hollywood, California) was an American jazz drummer and percussionist, who co-developed the jazz-samba drumming style.
Life and career
Reichenbach started his musical career even before he graduated from the McKinley Tech High School. During World War II, he played in a band of the Navy before he toured with the big bands of Tommy Dorsey, Jimmy Dorsey, and Art Mooney. Later he worked in the jazz clubs of his hometown, where he accompanied Frank Sinatra, Patti Page, Teddy Wilson, and Zoot Sims.
Charlie Byrd hired Reichenbach as an additional drummer for the Stan Getz album Jazz Samba, which was recorded in 1962 and which provoked a wave of enthusiasm for Bossa Nova in the United States. In the course of 1962, he replaced Buddy Deppenschmidt in the trio of Byrd, of which he was a member for twelve years. Then he returned to work in Washington, as the house drummer at the Blues Alley.
He is the father of trombonist Bill Reichenbach Jr. and the singer Kurt Reichenbach.
After the death of his wife, he moved to California.
Discography
With Charlie Byrd
- Jazz Samba (Verve, 1962) - with Stan Getz
- Bossa Nova Pelos Passaros (Riverside, 1962)
- Once More! Charlie Byrd's Bossa Nova (Riverside, 1963)
- Byrd at the Gate (Riverside, 1963)
- Byrd Song (Riverside, 1964)