Artist page · 05/07/2026

Bill Frisell

BaltimoreBorn in 1951JAZZ4 vinyl albums
Bill Frisell, born March 18, 1951 in Baltimore, Maryland, is an American jazz guitarist known for blending jazz, folk, and experimental styles since the late 20th century.
4Albums on Vinyles.com
512Discogs releases
301kLast.fm listeners

About

Bill Frisell, Innovative jazz guitar from Baltimore’s most versatile player.

Four vinyl LPs spanning jazz and contemporary music; audiophile 180g pressings highlight the collection.

Bill Frisell's career emerged from his studies at Berklee College of Music in Boston and collaborations with key figures on the ECM label. Renowned for a distinctive sound that traverses jazz fusion, contemporary jazz, and folk, his versatility is evident across a catalog of over 500 releases. He gained prominence in the New York scene during the 1980s, contributing to avant-garde projects and leading his own ensembles.

His discography includes collaborations with artists like Paul Motian and incorporates influences from bluegrass and country. Frisell has received recognition including a Grammy for contemporary music, confirming his impact on the evolution of modern jazz guitar.

Discography

Bill Frisell — Discography

Studio albums, EPs and notable live records, from newest to oldest. Drag the timeline to browse.

Haunted HeartDecca · 2005
2005
Haunted Heart
CD, Album
Studio
East / WestNonesuch · 2005
2005
East / West
CD, Album
Studio
UnspeakableNonesuch · 2004
2004
Unspeakable
CD, Album
Studio
Petra Haden And Bill FrisellRykodisc · 2004
2004
Petra Haden And Bill Frisell
CD, Album
Studio
The IntercontinentalsNonesuch · 2003
2003
The Intercontinentals
CD, Album
Studio
The WilliesNonesuch · 2002
2002
The Willies
CD, Album
Studio
Bill Frisell With Dave Holland And Elvin JonesNonesuch · 2001
2001
Bill Frisell With Dave Holland And Elvin Jones
CD, Album
Studio
Ghost TownNonesuch · 2000
2000
Ghost Town
CD, Album, Stereo
Studio
The Sweetest PunchDecca · 1999
1999
The Sweetest Punch
CD, Album
Studio
Good Dog, Happy ManNonesuch · 1999
1999
Good Dog, Happy Man
CD, Album
Studio
Gone, Just Like A TrainNonesuch · 1998
1998
Gone, Just Like A Train
CD, Album
Studio
Songs We KnowNonesuch · 1998
1998
Songs We Know
CD, Album
Studio
NashvilleNonesuch · 1997
1997
Nashville
CD, Album
Studio
Angel SongECM Records · 1997
1997
Angel Song
CD, Album
Studio
QuartetNonesuch · 1996
1996
Quartet
CD, Album
Studio
Falling Off The RoofAtlantic · 1996
1996
Falling Off The Roof
CD, Album, HDCD
Studio
Music For The Films Of Buster Keaton (Go West)Nonesuch · 1995
1995
Music For The Films Of Buster Keaton (Go West)
CD, Album
Studio
Music For The Films Of Buster Keaton: The High Sign/One WeekNonesuch · 1995
1995
Music For The Films Of Buster Keaton: The High Sign/One Week
CD, Album
Studio
Deep Dead Blue (Live 25 June 95)Warner Bros. Records · 1995
1995
Deep Dead Blue (Live 25 June 95)
CD, Album
Studio
LiveGramavision · 1995
1995
Live
CD, Album
Studio
Just So HappensPostcards · 1994
1994
Just So Happens
CD, Album
Studio
Have A Little FaithElektra Nonesuch · 1993
1993
Have A Little Faith
CD, Album
Studio
More News For Luluhat ART · 1992
1992
More News For Lulu
CD, Album
Studio
Motian In TokyoJMT · 1991
1991
Motian In Tokyo
CD, Album
Studio
Is That You?Elektra Musician · 1990
1990
Is That You?
CD, Album
Studio
Paul Motian On Broadway - Vol. 1JMT · 1989
1989
Paul Motian On Broadway - Vol. 1
CD, Album
Studio
Before We Were BornElektra Musician · 1989
1989
Before We Were Born
CD, Album
Studio
News For Luluhat ART · 1988
1988
News For Lulu
CD, Album
Studio
Todos SantosSound Aspects Records · 1988
1988
Todos Santos
Vinyl, LP, Album
Studio
The Paul Bley QuartetECM Records · 1988
1988
The Paul Bley Quartet
Vinyl, LP, Album
Studio
Dveře = DoorSupraphon · 1985
1985
Dveře = Door
Vinyl, LP, Album, Club Edition
Studio
RamblerECM Records · 1985
1985
Rambler
Vinyl, LP, Album
Studio
Vernon Reid - Smash & ScatterationMinor Music · 1985
1985
Vernon Reid - Smash & Scatteration
Vinyl, LP, Album
Studio
...TheoreticallyEmpire Productions · 1984
1984
...Theoretically
Vinyl, LP, Album
Studio
In LineECM Records · 1983
1983
In Line
Vinyl, LP, Album
Studio
Paths, PrintsECM Records · 1982
1982
Paths, Prints
Vinyl, LP, Album
Studio
A Molde ConcertECM Records · 1982
1982
A Molde Concert
Vinyl, LP, Album
Studio
OknoSupraphon · 1981
1981
Okno
Vinyl, LP, Album
Studio
Blues DreamNonesuch ·
Blues Dream
CD, Album, Reissue
Studio
This LandElektra Nonesuch ·
This Land
CD, Album
Studio
Studio album Live / EP

Playlist

Signature tracks

The tracks that sum up Bill Frisell's career.

01
Pipeline
·
02
Ron Carter
Ron Carter
East / West · 2005
03
Baba Drame
Baba Drame
The Intercontinentals · 2003
04
Surfer Girl
·
05
Pretty stars
·
06
Rumble
·
07
The Pioneers
·
08
Thankful
·

The essentials

The 3 Bill Frisell albums you absolutely need

Our pick, validated by the editorial team.

#1 · 2014
Vinyle Noir Audiophile 180g LP
GUITAR IN THE SPACE AGE/VINYLE NOIR AUDIOPHILE 180GR/INCLUS INSERT

A 2014 audiophile vinyl showcasing Frisell’s innovative guitar work in a crisp, high-quality pressing with included insert.

Vinyl Black 180gInsert includedJazz genreMusic On Vinyl label
#2 · 2026
Vinyle LP
In My Dreams

Latest release blending jazz and blues, reflecting Frisell’s continued evolution and sound exploration on Universal Music label.

Jazz/Blues genreUniversal Music labelVinyl format
#3 · 2024
Vinyle LP
Orchestras

A contemporary music vinyl released in 2024, marking Frisell’s engagement with orchestral and experimental soundscapes.

Contemporary music genreUniversal Music labelVinyl format

Go further

Artists similar to Bill Frisell

Artists who share part of Bill Frisell's musical DNA.

Face B

Side B: the hidden stories of Bill Frisell

Studio secrets, touring anecdotes and B-sides worth the whole album.

"Bill Frisell’s sound combines subtle irony with a ghostly, ethereal guitar tone."
— Comment on Frisell's ECM contributions
01Education

Studied at Berklee College under Jim Hall's influence

Bill Frisell studied music at Berklee College of Music in Boston, where guitarist Jim Hall was a significant influence on his playing and sound development.

1970sBoston
02Career

Label debut via Manfred Eicher and ECM

Frisell was recommended by Pat Metheny to Manfred Eicher of ECM, becoming a frequent guitarist on the label and contributing to early influential albums.

1980sNew York
03Collaboration

Core trio with Kermit Driscoll and Joey Baron

His first group included Kermit Driscoll on bass and Joey Baron on drums, which quickly reduced to a successful trio forming the backbone of larger ensembles.

1980sNew York
04Awards

Grammy Award for 'Unspeakable'

Frisell won a Grammy Award in 2005 for his album 'Unspeakable', recognizing his contributions to contemporary jazz music.

2005United States

CDs by Bill Frisell

Search all Bill Frisell CDs

FAQ

FAQ: Bill Frisell on physical formats

The most common questions about pressings, reissues and limited editions.

Who is Bill Frisell and where is he from?

Bill Frisell is an American jazz guitarist born in Baltimore, Maryland, on March 18, 1951.

What genres does Bill Frisell explore in his music?

His work spans jazz, contemporary jazz, jazz/ blues, folk, and experimental styles.

How many vinyl records by Bill Frisell are listed on Vinyles.com?

There are currently four vinyl records by Bill Frisell available, covering a range from jazz to contemporary music genres.

Which Bill Frisell vinyl has the audiophile 180g black pressing?

'Guitar in the Space Age' is available as a 180g audiophile black vinyl with an included insert.

What is a notable collaboration in Bill Frisell’s career?

He collaborated closely with drummer Paul Motian and was part of the trio Motian/Frisell/Lovano.

Where did Bill Frisell mostly grow up after his birth?

After Baltimore, Frisell spent much of his youth around Denver, Colorado.

Which cities were pivotal in Bill Frisell’s music career?

Boston for his education, New York for his 1980s career development, and later Seattle.

Has Bill Frisell received any major music awards?

Yes, he received a Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Jazz Album for 'Unspeakable' in 2005.

Transparency

Sources & method

This page is compiled by the vinyles.com editorial team from public sources and our marketplace.

Our method

  1. Discographic data from MusicBrainz (dates, countries, activity period).
  2. Tracklists, artwork and genres retrieved via Discogs Masters.
  3. Values (low / median / high) and stock from the Discogs Marketplace.
  4. Audience and similar artists via Last.fm.
  5. Page updated automatically and reviewed by the editorial team.
Last updated: 05/07/2026