Billy Adair

Jazz has a long history in Music City. As long as Nashville has been a center for recording and education, it has drawn musicians of all types who found places to play—as well as to teach. Many have had connections to Vanderbilt Blair School of Music Read More

William “Billy” Adair, a teacher, arranger, multi-instrumentalist and backbone of the jazz program at Vanderbilt’s Blair School of Music, has died. He was 66. Read More

Blair Big Band plays from the heart Billy Adair conducts the Blair Big Band ensemble. (John Russell/Vanderbilt) In the practice hall at Blair School of Music, a velvety voice is crooning Irving Berlin’s “Let’s Face the Music and Dance.” Jubilant trumpets, a sizzling beat and funky, thumping… Read More