At 14, Franklin violinist Billy Contreras has already built a reputation that would make musicians four times his age envious. Heâs been a featured performer at Lionel Hamptonâs annual jazz festival in Idaho for the past two years, and during this yearâs closing ceremonies, he played in an all-star aggregation alongside Hampton, guitarist Herb Ellis, and trumpeter Roy Hargrove, among others.
Heâs cut two LPs as a leader, one of them produced by Western swing mainstay Buddy Spicher, with whom he plays almost every Wednesday night at Wolfyâs. Contreras has also worked extensively with the Texas Playboys, has done sessions with country legend Hank Thompson, and appeared with Hampton and his big band two years ago at the Chet Atkins Musician Days celebration.