Billy Georgette
Encyclopedia
Billy Georgette is a Canadian
jazz
pianist
. Born William Albert Georgette on December 7, 1935 in Montreal, he began playing the piano at age nine, first studying with Florence Powers, then with Art Roberts.
During his teenager years, he used the pseudonym Billy Marlin and played with Wimp Henstridge. After completing high school at Sir Georges Williams University, Georgette studied liberal arts at the college while working with the Buddy Jordan Band from 1956 to 1958. He lived in Los Angeles from 1959 to 1962, where he worked with trumpeter Joe Gordon among others. After returning to Montreal in 1962 and working in numerous bands around the city, he worked with Leroy Mason from 1966 to 1973, playing rhythm and blues.
Other gigs include working with Errol Walters at Hotel de La Montagne, solo acts at the Cage aux Sports, Queen Elizabeth hotel and Abacus. His most recent performances have been with the Paradise Band at Biddles and the House of Jazz in Montreal.
Georgette, who has lived most of his life in Montreal, Quebec, has been an important supporter and promoter of Jazz music in the city and has frequently provided support to musicians in many other genres. He frequently appears at the Montreal Jazz Festival and is a regular performer at various venues in the city.
Also an enthusiastic hockey historian, he was a founding member of the Society for International Hockey Research
in 1991 and has spent much of his free time studying the history, writing an elaborate musical and developing a website about the Victoria Skating Rink
and is considered to be the foremost authority on that historic arena. He also was a founding member of Hockey Heritage Montreal, a charitable organization formed in 2001, with the goal of developing a Montreal Hockey Walk of Fame.
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
jazz
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
pianist
Pianist
A pianist is a musician who plays the piano. A professional pianist can perform solo pieces, play with an ensemble or orchestra, or accompany one or more singers, solo instrumentalists, or other performers.-Choice of genres:...
. Born William Albert Georgette on December 7, 1935 in Montreal, he began playing the piano at age nine, first studying with Florence Powers, then with Art Roberts.
During his teenager years, he used the pseudonym Billy Marlin and played with Wimp Henstridge. After completing high school at Sir Georges Williams University, Georgette studied liberal arts at the college while working with the Buddy Jordan Band from 1956 to 1958. He lived in Los Angeles from 1959 to 1962, where he worked with trumpeter Joe Gordon among others. After returning to Montreal in 1962 and working in numerous bands around the city, he worked with Leroy Mason from 1966 to 1973, playing rhythm and blues.
Other gigs include working with Errol Walters at Hotel de La Montagne, solo acts at the Cage aux Sports, Queen Elizabeth hotel and Abacus. His most recent performances have been with the Paradise Band at Biddles and the House of Jazz in Montreal.
Georgette, who has lived most of his life in Montreal, Quebec, has been an important supporter and promoter of Jazz music in the city and has frequently provided support to musicians in many other genres. He frequently appears at the Montreal Jazz Festival and is a regular performer at various venues in the city.
Also an enthusiastic hockey historian, he was a founding member of the Society for International Hockey Research
Society for International Hockey Research
The Society for International Hockey Research is a network of writers, statisticians, collectors, broadcasters, academics and ice hockey buffs. The Society, based in Toronto, Canada, has an international membership. The Society cultivates and encourages the study of ice hockey...
in 1991 and has spent much of his free time studying the history, writing an elaborate musical and developing a website about the Victoria Skating Rink
Victoria Skating Rink
The Victoria Skating Rink was an indoor skating rink located in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, which opened in 1862. The building was used during winter seasons for pleasure skating, ice hockey and skating sports on a natural ice rink. In summer months, the building was used for various other events,...
and is considered to be the foremost authority on that historic arena. He also was a founding member of Hockey Heritage Montreal, a charitable organization formed in 2001, with the goal of developing a Montreal Hockey Walk of Fame.