Billy Philadelphia doesn’t like labels. Or categories. He loves jazz. But he also loves cabaret and musical theatre. And the blues. And rock ‘n’roll. And….

You might call his repertoire “eclectic.”

He has lived in the Bay Area for 50 years and has had some tasty gigs:

• Billy is the Artistic Director at Pacifica Performances
• Band Leader for 2 local TV shows, SFO with Steve Jamison and AM San Francisco with Terry Lowry & Fred LaCosse
• Musical Director for shows at San Jose Repertory Theater, Aurora Theatre, Marin Theatre Company and New Conservatory Theatre Center
• “Man About Town,” a weekly radio spot with Frank and Mike on KNBR, morning drive time
• Accompanist for the incomparable Dame Edna at Theatre on the Square
• Playing the calliope up and down Market Street at the start of the parade honoring the 2012 World Series Champions, Your San Francisco Giants!

He frequently performs in cabaret with his wife, Meg Mackay. They have recorded two CD’s, So Many People and Legally Blonde (BEFORE the movie, really!). Billy has also recorded an album of songs by Hoagy Carmichael, Hoagy and Me.

He is the co-author of—and lead actor in—a show about Mr. Carmichael, aptly entitled Hoagy, which has had productions at Zephyr Theatre in San Francisco, Milwaukee Repertory Theatre and the historic Coconut Grove Playhouse in Miami.

He has played at many of the Bay Area’s finest hotels and restaurants over the years, including long stints at Stars, Mark Hopkins Hotel, One Market Restaurant, Sonoma Mission Inn, Moose’s, Fairmont Hotel, Hotel Majestic and many others. Check the CALENDAR for Billy’s gigs.

He has also taught at elementary through high schools, college and extended education centers (UC Extension and Stanford Continuing Studies). He had a very successful Choir for Senior Citizens through Community Music Center in San Francisco before and during the Covid outbreak.

Pacifica Performances mixes new with well-known

Artistic Director Billy Philadelpha wants Pacificans on stage and in the seats
By Chris Hunter
Coastside News
Mar 21, 2025

Billy Philadelphia has been part of the Bay Area arts scene since 1973, when he moved to California from Philadelphia. “I’ve been playing piano since I was six years old,” says the man with the eponymous name of his hometown in Pennsylvania… Read full article »