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Pianist Bill Anschell has performed in premiere venues throughout the U.S. and abroad, both leading his trio and as pianist musical director for vocalist Nnenna Freelon. His concert credits include six European tours with Freelon and five South American tours with his trio, including concerts in many of the leading international jazz festivals.

Anschell was the creator, producer and theme music composer for “JazzSouth,” a syndicated radio program broadcast from 1990 - 2002 on more than 200 stations around the world. In 1998 his CD, “a different note all together,” was selected by UPI (United Press International) as one of the year's “10 Best” jazz releases. That CD and his two follow-up releases “When Cooler Heads Prevail” (2001) and “More to the Ear than Meets the Eye” (2006) both enjoyed critical acclaim and extensive stays on the national jazz radio charts. His 2009 duo CD of spontaneous improvisations with saxophonist Brent Jensen was described by Cadence as “startlingly beautiful, surprising, and powerful. a transforming experience.” Anschell is also highly regarded as a composer; his original pieces have been featured on network and cable programs including NBC's “The West Wing” and HBO's acclaimed series, “The Wire.”

Anschell, a Seattle native, returned to the Emerald City in 2002 after a long residency in Atlanta, Georgia. He received a Golden Ear Award as the “Northwest Jazz Instrumentalist of the Year” in 2005, and his trio was named “Northwest Acoustic Jazz Ensemble of the Year” in 2006.