Music Associate Professor Bill Boris’ 10-song album Bright Moments is now out via Chicago’s Mikomi Records.

In a conversation with Chicago Jazz, Boris discusses the influences behind his newest album, including some of his first musical loves, as well as more recent favorites, with interviewer Jeff Cebulski. “On Bright Moments, recognizable compositions by Stevie Wonder, the Young Rascals, Dave Brubeck, Richard Rodgers, and Benny Golson hold sway,” Cebulski writes. “However, and most importantly, these tunes are mixed with five Boris originals that point back to the halcyon early fusion days and feature the juxtaposition of Boris’ chromatic, sometimes angular guitar and Chase’s bluesy B3 and Fender Rhodes.”

Boris brings his lifelong musical experiences to his classes at Columbia. Before he began teaching, he played for Chicago legends like Art Davis and Franz Jackson, directed the Briar Street Theater musical Beehive, and also worked in commercial music. In his career at Columbia, he has overseen the conception and direction of the Fusion Ensemble, and has served as the Coordinator of Guitar Studies since 2010.

On April 6, Bill and his band—The Bill Boris Trio—will open the final night of Valparaiso University’s Jazz Fest.

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