A “wildly gifted musician” and “new master of the 8-string guitar” Bill Burke is an innovator in both technique and style. His amazing skill on an unusual instrument combined with his visionary musical flavor is the key to his success in attracting today’s listening audiences. Bill has a diverse following of music lovers from around the world and tours extensively throughout the U.S. and abroad.

A professional instrumentalist and composer, Bill has produced four highly acclaimed recordings as well as numerous broadcast works for TV, film and radio. His music combines elements of minimalism, jazz, folk and world. Bill’s latest release “With” and earlier CDs “Comma” and “Where’d Our Ball Go” have been featured on NPR along with numerous other airways.

Bill plays the 8-string guitar using a unique two-handed tap style method. Often a blur of movement, both hands travel up and down the neck of his monstrous instrument while his fingers tap the strings. A visual feast for audiences, this method allows him to play multiple parts at the same time resulting in layered audio splendor.

Currently Bill performs as both a soloist and with a trio of percussionists. He also leads clinics and master classes for stringed instruments and is working on his fifth CD.

Bill Burke and The Tertium Quid Percussion Ensemble Captivate The Winchester Music Hall
"On their last trip through Cleveland, Bill Burke and the Tertium Quid Percussion Ensemble blew the roof off The Winchester Tavern and Music Hall with their intoxicating rhythms and hypnotizing melodies. They brought energy and life to the dark hall as they filled the night with their sound, encouraging those in attendance to feel the music in their bodies and souls. On a Friday night in mid-May, they left nothing to crave from the moment they stepped on stage, diving straight into the music...." MORE >>>- Danielle Andes, Cleveland Concerts Examiner

Bill Burke and The Tertium Quid Percussion Ensemble's Rhythmic Journey at The Beachland Ballroom
“The partnership of Bill Burke and the Tertium Quid Percussion Ensemble brings four musicians to the stage that create an intricate, inviting and addictive sound that takes the audience on a rhythmic journey into worlds unknown. ...The crowd could not help but be drawn into the energy on stage whether they had come knowingly to witness this spectacular performance..." MORE>>> - Danielle Andes, Cleveland Concerts Examiner

"Burke’s seemingly minimalist leanings — arpeggiated chords that radiated from his instrument, sometimes over a looping rhythmic motif — had an urban sophistication that blended in with this space. ...the audience was coolly patient — one almost expected snaps instead of claps — savoring Burke’s currents of music that gently played over the skin. " - Cross Currents, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

“…a wildly gifted musician, Bill Burke plays the Warr Guitar, an eight stringed instrument which allows him to play multiple parts at the same time. That requires discipline not to mention dexterity, but he pulls it off gracefully on “Where’d Our Ball Go?” now in it’s second printing.” - Dave Richards, Erie Times News.

“Bill Burke plays the guitar like most people play the piano…the notes ripple from his instrument in a harp-like manner, yet the unmistakable guitar sound is still present.” - Karen Gardner, Frederick News-Post

"A new master of the 8 String Warr guitar...” – Robert Silverstein, Music Web Express 3000 http://www.mwe3.com

"Trey Gunn is no longer the only Warr guitar player in town. Bill Burke from Maryland has also proven himself quite adept on this monstrous instrument as well... [but] Bill’s music is more than just for fans of the stick and Warr guitar. He has a flair for melody and composition as well as improvisation..." - www.progressiveears.com

“Bill has the ability to create compositions which transfix the listener…” - Erie Times-News

Bill’s music can be heard nationally and internationally on stations as diverse as NPR (NYC and Echoes), Australia’s FretNet, Siberia’s Penguin Radio, The Netherlands’ Radio Xymphonia, WKMHD (Portland, OR) and numerous others.

    For general booking inquiries please email info@billburke.net.