Bill Godwin has been a multiple percussionist for 35 years and teaching the drum set for over 20 of those years. He has played the drum set professionally for popular National musical artists CHEECH AND CHONG, TOM JONES, SAM THE SHAM AND THE PHAROAHS, THE COASTERS, THE DRIFTERS, THE PLATTERS, and THE TIJUANA BRASS. Locally, Bill has performed on the drum set with numerous bands including THE BEANS (also known as the National group, “THE TUBES” ), NANCY JACKSON, BLUE MEMPHIS, STEVE SMITH, and GEORGE BOWMAN.

As a professional hand percussionist, Bill was the lead Djembe drum player for the International African drum and marimba group “HARARE”, who participated in the background music for the Disney animated movie feature, “The Lion King’, and was honorably registered with the Arizona Commission on the Arts. In 1998, Bill was instrumental in leading HARARE to achieve the “Best Acoustic Drum Group” award, “Best of Phoenix 1998" presented by the Arizona Republic newspaper. Other National groups Bill has performed with include KENYA MASALA, DRUM CAFÉ, and STREET JAM.. Locally, Bill has performed with African drum groups AZUMAH, SPIRIT DANCE, WORLD PERCUSSION ENSEMBLE, Dr. MARK SUNKETT, Jazz Sax Artists JEFF JONES, DAN PINSON, and the ARIZONA JAZZ ALL-STARS, and currently with FRANK THOMPSON and the ARIZONA RHYTHM CONNECTION. Bill has been a supporting percussionist for the REMO DRUM COMPANY, PAULO MATTIOLI, GUITAR CENTER, EUROPA, SAM ANDERSON, and many others. Bill has been a facilitator for the AMERICAN MUSIC GROUP, ARIZONA RHYTHM CONNECTION, BODY WORKS STUDIO, and currently with the DRUM & DANCE JAM at the Gentle Strength Coop in Tempe.

                       
                           Bill and Kirsten Leading a Groove
              Bill in the foreground at the Music Festival