Willie Applewhite

Born in Chicago and raised in Harvey, Illinois, Willie Applewhite's musical studies brought him to The Institute for Jazz Studies at The Juilliard School in New York City, where he earned both his bachelor's and master's degrees.  Willie was the Director of Jazz studies at Snow College in Ephraim, Utah from August 2011 through May 2014.  During that time, he helped expand the music program from a two-year Associate's Degree to a four-year Bachelor's of Commercial Music Degree.  Currently residing in New York City, Willie is becoming a fixture in the New York music scene both as a band leader and an in-demand side man.  His current collaboration with James Burton and Brandon Lee as co-leaders has resulted in the formation of the Uptown Jazz Tentet, a ten-piece big band featuring both original compositions and arrangements of jazz standards.  The Willie Applewihte Quintet is quickly becoming a frequent on the jazz scene in New York City and beyond.  Willie has performed with many of the great jazz artists including Slide Hampton, Wycliffe Gordon, Wynton Marsalis, Paul Simon, William Parker, Bobby Broom, and Junior Mance.