Nashville’s music scene suffered a tremendous loss in February with the passing of 66-year-old jazz icon William “Billy” Adair. Adair boasted a musical résumé that was second to none. A multi-instrumentalist, he performed onstage and in the studio with some of Nashville’s most prominent artists, including Alabama, Waylon Jennings, Brenda Lee, the Oak Ridge Boys and George Strait. He was also a successful producer and arranger of commercial music. Adair founded Vanderbilt University’s Blair Big Band, and his musical legacy will live on through his students and this terrific ensemble.
Best Gentleman of Jazz
The Late Billy Adair
Photo: John Russell/Vanderbilt University
