Bill Athens is an accomplished performer on both double bass and electric bass, having worked as a professional musician for over 20 years in the Pacific Northwest. He studied with Ken Baldwin (Oregon Symphony), Glen Moore (Oregon), Dan Schulte (Jazz Bassist), and Dave Captein (Jazz Bassist). Bill is a music graduate of Portland State University. He has performed in a diverse range of genres, from Classical and Jazz to Rock and studio recording.
Currently a member of the eclectic chamber music group 3 Leg Torso and the funky Jazz power trio Trio Subtonic, Bill has performed with the Rose City Chamber Orchestra, the Tacoma Symphony, Bel Canto Northwest. Bill has performed with local Jazz luminaries such as: Chris Brown, Dan Balmer, Mel Brown, George Colligan, Nancy King, Tom Grant and a host of others. He has also performed and/or recorded with international artists: Ben Wendell, Seamus Blake, Byron Stripling, Dave Pietro, Laura Veirs, Stephen Malkmus and Sleater-Kinney.
Bill has been a long-time music educator, teaching at University of Portland, Clark Community College, George Fox University, The Great Basin Jazz Camp, and now at Lewis & Clark College.