Background
Root, Billy was born on March 6, 1934 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. Son of William and Ida (Smith) Root.
Root, Billy was born on March 6, 1934 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. Son of William and Ida (Smith) Root.
Saxophonist with numerous jazz artist including, Hot Lips Page, Hal McIntyre, Bennie Green, Buddy Rich, Stan Kenton, Ella Fitzgereald, Sarah Vaughn, Dizzy Gilespie, Clifford Brown, Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis, J. J. Johnson,, 1951-1959; saxophonist with, Harry James Orchestra, 1960-1961; house tenor, Blue Note, Philadelphia musician, Philadelphia Orchestra, 1968; musician, Desert Inn, Las Vegas, 1968-1978; musician, Frontier Hotel with Jack Benny, Milton Berle, Bob Hope, Jerry Lewis, Debbie Reynolds, Dean Martin, Tony Bennett, Peggy Lee, Juliet Prouse, Rich Littleand other performers, Las Vegas, since 1978.
Member Musicians Union.
Married Lee Root, May 2, 1953 (divorced 1959). Married Shirl Welsh, May 8, 1961. Children: Lee Ann, Eric, Edmond.