Bill Bridges
2022 TMA149 Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient
By David Warrack
One of my favourite, ongoing moments in my life is when I look over at Bill Bridges from the piano or the podium to cue him for his solo. Every single time, he delivers a magnificent, breathtaking, original performance, and when it’s over, he looks up with that smile that gobsmacks everyone in the room. He toured for years with Lena Horne, and her most delicious quote about Bill was “He plays so pretty, I want to stop singing and just listen!” He is, simply, magnificent. He was born in Empress, Alberta and his first solos were performed on the barn roof entertaining the livestock below. That must be where his unflappable nature was honed. He moved to Toronto in 1971 at the age of 27. He quickly established himself as a brilliant talent in the thriving studio, club, theatre and orchestral world of that period, when one could hardly keep track of the huge amount of opportunities that presented themselves.
Were one to try and list everyone he has worked with, this tribute would turn into a novel. Just to name a few, Howard Cable, Guido Basso, Hagood Hardy, Phil Nimmons, Ella Fitzgerald, Peggy Lee, Petula Clarke, Eartha Kitt, Vic Damone and Tony Bennet. He was John McDermott’s MD for years. Some of the magnificent groups over the years that were blessed by his participation or accompaniment were Bowfire, Quintessance, and Trio Norte, along with countless symphonies across Canada and the States, big bands, small bands, elite classical combinations, and every now and then, a country group.
Constant studio work, films, tv shows (he is in the middle of recording the 6th season of Your All-Time Classic Hit Parade for Vision TV), tours literally around the world, and private parties where he can entertain with everything from the classics to jazz, an awesome resume. He expanded into composition, arranging, and orchestrating, where he was and continues to be among the best of the best. But, along with all of this, he just happens to be one of the sweetest, most genuine, caring, vibrant souls one could ever encounter. At every level, his contribution to the music is phenomenal, but his contribution to the atmosphere of the stage or the pit or the room is always part of his performance. He is an inspiration to those he works with, and a great performer whom audiences adore. No one could be more deserving of the honour of receiving a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Toronto Musicians’ Association.
Bravo William. You make us all better by being you!
