Bill Hughes (born March 28, 1930 in Texas) is an American jazz trombonist and the current director of the Count Basie Orchestra.
Hughes began playing the trombone at age nine and was performing at a Washington, D.C., jazz venue called the 7T Club by the age of sixteen. Although interested in playing music, Hughes originally wanted to pursue a career as a pharmacist. He graduated from the Howard University School of Pharmacy in 1952 and began working at the National Institute of Health. His career plans changed the following year when Count Basie invited Hughes to join his band. Hughes was also asked to join the Duke Ellington Orchestra; however in September 1953, he joined the Basie band where he already knew members Frank Wess, Eddie Jones, and Benny Powell. Hughes took a break from touring from September 1957 until July 1963 in order to help raise his family. Hughes took over leadership of the band in 2003 following the death of Grover Mitchell.[1]
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