Chris Bickley Professional BIO
Chris Bickley’s passion for music, the arts, and education go beyond his love of performing. Interlochen Center for the Arts where Chris graduated from the internationally acclaimed fine arts academy promote the ”Universal Language of the Arts”. As a performer his passion, energy, and mastery of the instrument engage and captivate audiences. His insight, emotion, interpretation, and creative perspective give him a style all his own. Throughout his performing career Chris has had the privilege of performing with many of the best Artists in the industry.
JAZZ ARTISTS… Bob James, Woody Herman, Mel Torme, Louie Belson, Herbie Hancock, Richie Cole, Bill Watrous, Jon Faddis, Billy Cobham, John McLaughlin, Pat Labarbera, Chico Freeman, Ali Ryerson, Tommy Dorsey, Brother Jack McDuff.
POP ARTISTS… Kenny Rogers, The Temptations, The Four Tops, Aretha Franklin, Linda Ronstadt, Peabo Bryson, Marilyn McCoo, En Vogue, Aaron Nevel, Allman Brothers, Larry Graham, Gladys Knight, B. T. Express, Roy Aires, The Drifters.
SHOWS… Bob Hope, Nelson Riddle, Ed Ames, Johnny Mathis, Jim Nabors, Robert Goulet, Don Knotts, Phyllis Diller, Peter Marshall, Skip DeVol, Wes Harrison, Jerry VanDyke, Mory Amsterdam, Paul Lennon, Rich Little, The Arbor Singers, Shields & Yarnell, Gloria Loring, Lenny Colyer & Jerry Murad Harmonicats, The Four Freshman, Don Rickles, Anne Murray, Jerry Lewis, Marvin Hamlisch, Bob Newhart, Lawrence Welk, Regis Philbin, Joan Rivers, Dick Clark, Bobby Vinton, Frankie Valley, Wayne Newton, The Irish Tenors, Martin Short, Guy & Ralna, Gene Pitney, Susan Luci, Frank Sinatra Jr, Bernadette Peters.
TOURS
Home For The Holidays … Kenny Rogers … 1994, 95, 96
Brother Jack McDuff … July 1999
TELEVISION APPEARANCES
“Big Dreams & Broken Hearts” the Dottie West Story … CBS
“Prime Time Country” … Dick Clark/CMN
ESPN … ESPY Awards
DISCOGRAPHY
“Gonna Fly Now” … Chris Bickley & The Reef Petroleum Big Band … Nimbus Records, UK
“Swingin At The Haven” … Chris Bickley Quintet … Hagen Studio, Grand Rapids, MI
“Catch 38” … The Steve Sandner Band … Studio Media, Evanston, IL
As an Educator, Clinician, Adjudicator Chris served as Director of Jazz at Central Michigan University and Northwestern Michigan College. Chris served as adjudicator for the CMU Phi Mu Alpha Jazz Weekend for 30 years along with various regional festivals for the Michigan School Band & Orchestra Association. Chris is an Artist/Clinician for the Yamaha band instrument company, playing all Yamaha Custom 675 saxophones. Chris provides private instruction for students at his studio for saxophone, improvisation, flute, theory/composition/arranging, and specialized piano/keyboard.
As an Entrepreneur Chris has invested his life into sharing his love of the arts, passion for performing, and his commitment educating everyone about the impact that music has on life. In 2008 Chris founded the Bay Area Music Foundation to “Change Children’s Lives Through Music” and currently serves as Chairman.
WHY MUSIC?
Music is Science, Music is Math, Music is History, Music is Physical Education. Music develops insight and demands Research. Music is all of these things, but most of all music is Art. We support music so children will develop every facet of life to its fullest potential so children will have a deeper recognition of beauty, develop more character, more gentleness, more compassion, more love, more goodness ... and in short, more Life.
“Before a child talks they sing. Before they write they draw. As soon as the stand they dance. Art is fundamental to human expression.”
Phylicia Rashad
www.bayareamusicfoundation.org
Chris also serves on the Traverse Symphony board of directors.
As an Agent/Producer Chris has served as “House Contractor” for the Soaring Eagle Casino Resort in Mt. Pleasant, MI providing Orchestras and Musicians for over 20 years. In the 80’s Chris contracted the Grand Hotel Showroom on Mackinaw Island for the Jack Reed Agency. In 2000 Chris provided a 100 piece Orchestra for a Mid-West tour of The Irish Tenors from Dublin Ireland. If you’re planning an event, wedding, or show please call or e-mail for more information.
Testimonial from my dear friend, Performer, Composer, Arranger, and Movie Producer Edgar Struble:
“If you’ve attended any west Michigan jazz concerts or star performances at The Soaring Eagle Casino in Mt. Pleasant in the last decade, chances are that you’ve had the distinct pleasure of hearing Chris Bickley doing what he loves the most and does the best – playing the sax. Actually, Chris does more than just “play” the sax; he is a master of that instrument, and takes any performance to a new level. Now Chris brings his experience, dedication, and talent to serve clients who demand the absolute best in entertainment.
From his beginnings as a student at Interlochen Fine Arts Academy to his present position as head of Bickley’s Entertainment, Chris has been a driving force in the commercial music business in Michigan for many years. His dedication to his craft and attention to detail have resulted in many sterling performances and many happy clients all over the region. Far more than a homegrown talent, Chris is an award-winning musician and has had experience at a national level; he has toured with country music legend, Kenny Rogers, and has made guest appearances on national TV shows like TNN’s “Prime Time Country.” He has also served as music contractor for the Soaring Eagle Casino in Mt. Pleasant for many years, supporting the many national touring acts who appear there. Television composer and Michigan native, Edgar Struble says this about Chris: “Chris Bickley is my go-to guy whenever I need to record a world class sax part, and he has been invaluable in coordinating my concert appearances in Michigan.”
Edgar Struble
www.edgarstruble.com