Wild
Bill Davison Legacy
 The
Wild Bill Davison Legacy Consists of top musicians who
spent considerable time touring and recording with
Wild Bill. The critically acclaimed and high-powered front
line, (Tom, Bill and Chuck) is often accompanied by several
different rhythm sections, but the same drive and fire
are present that were the hallmark of the Wild Man from
Defiance, Ohio. The band has toured Germany and Switzerland
several times and have recently recorded a new CD for Arbors
entitled “CALL OF THE WILD.” They recently
appeared at the Vienna, Austria based Jazz club “JAZZ
LAND” for the club’s 30th anniversary. They
were also featured at The Sacramento and Los Angeles Jazz
festivals and were a part of 2003 Arbors March of Jazz.
Tom
Saunders has been a Lifelong friend and contemporary
of Wild Bill, While not trying to be a Wild Bill clone,
he exhibits the same power, drive and musical sense of
humor that was such a trademark of wild Bill. Tom also
toured and recorded with Pee Wee Hunt, Vic Dickenson,
Eddie Condon, Peanuts Hucko Bud Freeman and the New Mc
Kinney’s Cotton pickers as well as solo performances
in the US and Europe.
Bill
Allred toured and recorded with Will Bill in his last
band for over 10 years. He also appreared with Bob
Crosby, Billy Butterfield, The World’s Greatest Jazz
Band, Johnny Mince, Bucky Pitzzerelli, Louie Bellson, Milt
Hinton, Warren Vache, Al Cohen and Clark Terry. .
Chuck
Hedges, the third member of what some people call the “Best front line in the business,” Chuck
gained prominence touring and recording with Trumpet star
Dick Rudebusch. He also had stints with The Dukes Of Dixieland,
Billy Butterfield, Peter Appleyard, Abe Most, Ralph Sutton
to name a few. He leads his own Swingtet in the Chicago/Milwaukee
area.
Johnny Varro started his career in the clubs of New York’s
52nd Street. He performed at Eddie Condon’s, Nick’s
and Jimmy Ryan’s as well as touring and recording
with Phil Napolean, Kenny Davern, Pee Wee Erwin and countless
other jazz stars all over the world. Johnny leads and
records with his own band,“The Swing 7." Johnny
is one of the busiest piano players in the jazz business.
Isla
Eckinger is a native Swiss, and divides his time between
Basel and Los Angeles, California. He has worked
just about every Jazz Festival in Europe with the best
players in the business. He is regular guest at the Los
Angeles Sweet and Hot Jazz Festival and also toured and
recorded with Wild Bill Davison’s last Jazz Band
of the 1980's. He is also an excellent Jazz Trombonist.
Jake
Hanna often worked with Wild Bill at European Jazz
Festivals. He is one of the most famous drummers in the
jazz business. His early stints with many of the top big
bands, especially Woody Herman, made him a very sought-after
drummer. He has toured and recorded with every top player
and band in the business. His collaborations with Carl
Fontana and recordings with super-sax are classics.
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