Billy Bean (musician)

William Fredrick "Billy" Bean (born December 26, 1933) is an American jazz guitarist from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Bean was born into a musical family; his mother played piano, his father guitar, and his sister was a professional singer. Bean studied privately on his instrument and played locally in Philadelphia in the late 1940s and early 1950s. He moved to California in 1958, where he became associated with the West Coast jazz scene.

He only recorded a handful of albums in his short career, two of which were with fellow guitar legend, John Pisano in the late 1950s as well as an album with the Hal Gaylor Trio. Bean played as a sideman with Zoot Sims, Paul Horn, Buddy Collette, Charlie Ventura, Calvin Jackson, Bud Shank, and Les Elgart. His influence is heard in many players including Pat Martino. Larry Coryell wrote a tune entitled "Billy Bean" in tribute to him.

Discography

• The Lowest The Music of Red Callender with Red Callender, Buddy Collette, Red Mitchell, Gerald Wiggins, Bill Douglass, Gerald Wilson, 1955
• Charlie Ventura Plays Hi-Fi Jazz with Charlie Ventura, Mousey Alexander, Dave McKenna, Richard Davis, 1956
• The New Charlie Ventura in Hi-Fi with......
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