I first met Bill Pierce

in 1987 at the Umbria
Jazz Festival in Perugia,
Italy. He was imposing but
approachable. One of the
pluses for joining Berklee
18 years later was knowing
that | would be working
more closely with this

still imposing but
approachable person who

 

served as the chair of the
Woodwind Department.

It has been a joy and
delight to have worked for
many years with Bill Pierce,
whose music and
leadership remain
imposing, imminently
approachable, and
without peer.