Bill Penick

Bill Penick

(January 4, 1932 - December 17, 2019)

Bill Penick was born and raised in Indianapolis, attended Indianapolis Public School #4 for his elementary education and graduated from Crispus Attucks High School in 1949. As a young boy, Bill rose early every morning to begin his neighborhood paper route delivery “The Indianapolis Star” newspaper.  At an early age, he listened to Illinois Jacquet and Benny Goodman on the radio.  He fantasized about a career in music and fortunately met Russell Brown, took up the saxophone and joined the school band at Crispus Attucks High School.  “Mr. Brown was the greatest; he taught me my first notes on the saxophone.  All the kids loved him, and he was a father figure to the kids.” 

After graduating high school, he studied at the famed McArthur Music Conservatory located on Indiana Avenue as well as enjoying private lessons with Gene Fransman, Reed Instructor at Maurice Oldham & Sons Musicians Repair Shop.  Penick studied for two years at the McArthur Conservatory of Music when his first break came in joining the Hampton Family Band.  The Hampton house was just a few blocks south of Indiana Avenue where there was jamming in the basement during the late 1940s and throughout the 1950s.  Penick was one of the students of this “Hampton School”. 

In November of 1951, he auditioned for and won entry into the United States 533rd Air Force Band stationed in Victorville, California, and completed additional studies at the Air Force Music School in Washington D. C. While in the service, he traveled widely- including Presidential performances and various military functions. After leaving the service, he returned to Indianapolis where he became an integral part of several groups including the LaVon Kemp Orchestra, the Larry Liggett Band, Specks Maynard’s Combo, Eldridge Morrison’s Band and many of the other local groups.  He helped organize a band called the Chromatics, along with David Hardiman, Sonny and Margaret Smith, and Everett Wade. David Baker was also an occasional member of the band, who along with Slide Hampton wrote many of the band’s arrangements.  He performed with Mary Moss (The Lady with the Song), Al Finnell and the Indy Jazzmen, The Carl Hines Band with Ray Cumberland and Steve Woemer. Bill’s skills as an entertainer and jazz artist and his fun sense of humor were always enjoyed by musicians and fans alike.