Trumpeter, composer and teacher Bill Fanning began his professional playing while still in high school, performing in street parades with the Worcester Brass Band. “I remember thinking... Wow, I made as much money in 45 minutes as I did all week as a busboy.”

After high school Bill pursued music at Westfield State College, graduating in 1985 with a degree in Music Performance.

With helpful advice from mentor Emil Haddad, Bill joined the Navy Band in 1986 and was stationed in San Diego, California.  “My life changed forever. met my wife Theresa and the great Bobby Shew, who taught me how to PLAY the trumpet.” Bill continues to study with Bobby Shew every chance he gets.

In 1990 after his enlistment in the Navy, Bill worked as a lead trumpet player aboard the Holland America Cruise Line. “It was at this time that I met Jeff Coffin (Bela Fleck and the Flecktones).  We had a great time together playing music and listening to Trane late night.  We called it ‘going to church.’”

Moving to Nashville, Tennessee in 1993, Bill continued to collaborate with Jeff, recording with him on Jeff’s first CD “Outside The Lines.”  During this time in Nashville he performed with Chester Thompson, Bela Fleck, Bernard Purdie, Victor Wooten, Glenn Frey, Bruce Springstein, Sheryl Crowe, John Forgerty, Bruce Hornsby and Max Carl, playing numerous music festivals in the area and in Europe, while maintaining an active recording schedule.

In 1998 he received a scholarship to New England Conservatory and moved back to the central Massachusetts area, graduating with honors in 2000 with a Masters of Music. While at the Conservatory, Bill studied improvisation with Jon McNeil, Jerry Bergonzi, George Garzone, and Bob Brookmeyer. He also performed with Jon Faddis, Maria Schneider and George Russell.

Bill has toured with the Artie Shaw Band, the Benny Goodman Tribute Band, and has played with the Nelson Riddle Orchestra. He has also performed with pop artists The O’Jays, The Temptations, Little Anthony and the Imperials, and Lou Christie.

In 2005 Bill released his debut CD “Parakletos” with Jeff Coffin, featuring ten of Bill’s original compositions. Currently he leads his own quintet in New England and can also be heard in the Worcester Jazz Orchestra.

Sought after as a trumpet instructor in central Massachusetts, Bill is a professor at Worcester State College, teaching music theory and directing the Worcester State College Jazz Band, and he continues to work as a guest clinician with numerous high schools and colleges in the area.