About Bill Challis
Lived 1904 – 1994 (aged 90). Bill Challis was an American music arranger and jazz musician.
William H. Challis (July 8, 1904 – October 4, 1994)
Career Challis was hired by Jean Goldkette as an arranger in 1926, and moved with Bix Beiderbecke to Paul Whiteman's ensemble in 1927. He wrote scores for Whiteman's full band as well as smaller ensembles drawn from its ranks (such as those led by Frank Trumbauer), and was in part responsible for Beiderbecke's robust representation on Victor Talking Machine Company releases in the late-1920s.
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Important facts
People in Bill Challis's life
Named in this biography and alive at the same time
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Contemporaries
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Frequently asked questions
Who was Bill Challis?
American jazz arranger (1904-1994)
When was Bill Challis born?
Bill Challis was born on 8 July 1904 in Wilkes-Barre.
When did Bill Challis die?
Bill Challis died on 4 October 1994 in Luzerne.
What was Bill Challis's occupation?
Bill Challis was a music arranger and jazz musician.
What nationality was Bill Challis?
Bill Challis was American.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Bill Challis. https://biography.guide/bill-challis/
MLA: "Bill Challis." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/bill-challis/.
Chicago: "Bill Challis." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/bill-challis/.
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