Bill began playing the drums in high school as a Rock-N-Roller and then studied music at Bennington College. He went on to play Jazz in big bands, trios and quartets from Brattleboro, Vermont to Rhode Island to Kansas City and New York City. He formed the "Bluebird Quartet" and "High Society" groups with local and international musicians. They played in small clubs, at the Jazz Vespers at St. Peters Church and the Saratoga Jazz Festival.
During this time he began to learn the art of piano tuning and repair. This developed into a full time business when he left the music scene. Bill worked with many professional pianists, music institutions, churches and students. He was respected for both his technical ability and musical sensibility. Music played a vital place in Bill’s life. We invite you to share experiences you had with Bill on our blog. And send us images to post with the details of where and when to memorialblog@gmail.com.
During this time he began to learn the art of piano tuning and repair. This developed into a full time business when he left the music scene. Bill worked with many professional pianists, music institutions, churches and students. He was respected for both his technical ability and musical sensibility. Music played a vital place in Bill’s life. We invite you to share experiences you had with Bill on our blog. And send us images to post with the details of where and when to memorialblog@gmail.com.
I was very saddened to hear about Bill's death. We had worked together as musicians in New England and as piano technicians in New York over many years. There is one grand piano that he and I rebuilt in the loft on 20th Street which I still periodically service at its home on Park Avenue. We shared a deep love of music-making and each followed a tortured path to the resolution of the money vs. art problem. Both the jazz scene and the piano world were and are full of many amazing characters living on the fringe - outside of corporate America. Although I was never a part of it, I'm sure the climbing world is also full of strong and colorful individuals. It is remarkable that Bill lived in all of these worlds, mastered these three difficult skill sets and found his share of joy in each of them. Patrick Baron, St. Croix, US Virgin Islands
ReplyDeletesaddened
ReplyDeletesurprised
startled
i will miss his respectful nature
and care for my piano.....
and his genuine nature
deena karabell
William, "Bill," Eldridge was our dear friend as well as the masterful tuner of our many pianos for as long as we can remember. In New York, and in Worthington, Massachusetts, where we have an annual music festival, (Sevenars Concerts). Bill would spend a week tuning every grand piano, upright and console. He would ride his bike to town and be warmly greeted by the "locals." Bill was "one of the family," enjoying our home-made dinners each night followed by jovial evenings watching Jeopardy in which Bill knew the answers before the contestants. While we miss him Terribly he is not gone nor forgotten. We haven't seen him since he left Worthington to climb the "Gunks" (the Schwangunk mountains near the Mohonk resort). Our pianos haven't been tuned since our return to New York in September. Bill's traces are on the keys and we choose to leave them there. (Our own traces are compatible with his)
ReplyDeleteBill can't really be described in words...his love of nature, respect for the tiniest of creatures, understanding of all situations and people.
Bill is forever!
Rolande Schrade
Bill will be missed and long remembered, as much for his perfectly tuned ear as for his kindness and humanity. His is now the tuner for Mozart, Haydn, Beethoven, and other giants in the musical heaven to which we all aspire. Our hearts go out to Rachel and Benjamin. We shall miss him, but have no doubt he has reached his summit. Charles Scribner
ReplyDeleteBill's untimely death is a great loss to all of us who knew him. The blog is wonderful in that it highlights the keen and thorough devotion Bill had for all that he pursued. I mean, how many other people do you know that read ALL the US President's bios?! He tuned my pianos for many years.
ReplyDeleteBunny Beck