Bill Pierce is an excellent saxophonist who also works as an educator. He started off his career in Boston playing RB with such stars as Stevie Wonder and Marvin Gaye. However, he is essentially a hard bop player, as he showed during stints with James Williams (1979-1980 and 1984-1985) and a high-profile association with Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers (1980-1982); with the latter he shared the front line with Wynton Marsalis and Bobby Watson. From 1986-1994, Pierce was a regular member of Tony Williams' quintet, somehow making himself heard over the leader's very loud drumming. He has led several of his own dates for Sunnyside. ~ Scott Yanow, Rovi