Billy Kilson

Summary

William Earl Kilson (born August 2, 1962) is an American jazz drummer.

William Earl Kilson
BornAugust 2, 1962
Washington, D.C., United States
Occupation(s)Jazz drummer
Instrument(s)Drums, Trumpet, Trombone
Years active1980–present

Kilson was born in Washington, D.C.. He started on trumpet at ten, switched to trombone at 11, then to drums at 16. He studied at the Berklee College of Music from 1980 to 1985 and took private lessons from Alan Dawson during 1982–89. Following this he did a tour of Europe with Walter Davis.

He has played with Ahmad Jamal (1989), Dianne Reeves (1989–95), Greg Osby (1991), George Duke (1991–98), Steps Ahead (1993), Tim Hagans (1993 and subsequently), Terumasa Hino (1994–98), Bob James (1995 and subsequently), Dave Holland (since 1997), Bob Belden (1997) and Kevin Mahogany (1998). Other associations include Kirk Whalum, Freddie Jackson, Chris Botti, Donald Brown, Bob James, and Paula Cole.

Kilson is perhaps best known for his work with Holland.[1] He plays on Holland's Grammy Award-nominated 1999 album Prime Directive and his Grammy-winning 2002 release What Goes Around.

Kilson has also led his own quartet ensemble along with James Genus and Tim Hagans. His debut release as a leader, Pots and Pans, appeared in 2006.[1]

Discography edit

  • Pots & Pans (Arintha Star, 2006)
  • Descension Rising (2016)

As sideman edit

With Greg Osby

  • Man-Talk for Moderns Vol. X (Blue Note Records, 1991)

With Bob Belden

  • Princejazz (Somethin' Else, 1994)
  • Purple Rain (Somethin' Else, 1994)
  • When Doves Cry (Metro Blue, 1994)
  • Tapestry (Jazz Heritage, 1998)
  • Black Dahlia (Blue Note, 2001)

With Chris Botti

  • When I Fall in Love (Columbia, 2004)
  • To Love Again (Columbia, 2005)
  • In Boston (Decca, 2009)

With Carla Cook

  • It's All About Love (MAXJAZZ, 1999)
  • Dem Bones (MAXJAZZ, 2001)
  • Simply Natural (MAXJAZZ, 2002)

With Michael Franks

  • Watching the Snow (Koch, 2003)
  • Time Together (Shanachie, 2011)
  • The Music in My Head (P-Vine, 2018)

With Tim Hagans

  • Audible Architecture (Blue Note, 1995)
  • Animation Imagination (Blue Note, 1999)
  • Re-Animation Live! (Blue Note, 1999)

With Dave Holland

With Bob James

  • Joy Ride (Warner Bros., 1999)
  • Take It from the Top (Koch, 2004)
  • Urban Flamingo (Koch, 2006)
  • Espresso (Evosound, 2018)
  • Joined at the Hip (Evosound, 2019)

With Dianne Reeves

  • I Remember (Blue Note, 1991)
  • Art & Survival (EMI, 1994)
  • Quiet After the Storm (Blue Note, 1994)

With others

References edit

  1. ^ a b Edelstein, Paula. "Pots & Pans: Review". Allmusic. Retrieved 2010-12-31.
  • Billy Kilson at Modern Drummer
  • Mark Gilbert, "Billy Kilson". Grove Jazz online.