Billy Kilson's BK Groove is a musical melting pot. Their funky jazz fusion is a summation of the vast talents, experiences and influences from each individual band member. Their discographies include some of the most recognizable names in jazz today. As sidemen, they have toured all over the world, recorded with some of the top musicians, and received numerous accolades, rave reviews, nominations and awards (including two Grammys). So when they came together and began creating their own sound, it was no surprise that the music was diverse, original and inspired.
Billy Kilson, drummer and leader of Billy Kilson's BK Groove, was exposed to jazz, funk and R&B at an early age. As a child, he listened to groups such as Sly and the Family Stone, Earth Wind and Fire and The Parliament and played drums to accompany their records. He was also exposed to a variety of genres through his father's massive recording collection consisting of music from Count Basie and Duke Ellington to Junior Walker and James Brown. After graduating from Berklee School of Music, Kilson toured with Donald Byrd, Ahmad Jamal, Dianne Reeves, Bob James, George Duke and many others. He joined the Dave Holland Quintet and Dave Holland Big Band where he became a Grammy winner for his work with this renowned group before joining Chris Botti's band. His work with Chris has enabled him to make several television appearances (Chris Botti PBS Special, "Oprah," "The Today Show" and others) as well as appear on arena tours when Chris opened for Sting and Josh Groban.
Bassist Kenny Davis' career began by listening to great R&B artists such as Earth, Wind & Fire, Brothers Johnson and the Temptations. A self taught musician, he first discovered jazz at Northeastern University. His jazz influences include Ray Brown, Paul Chambers, Ron Carter, Jaco Pastorius and Verdin White. Davis' touring experience includes appearances with Herbie Hancock, Dianne Reeves, Art Farmer, Abbey Lincoln and Cassandra Wilson. In 1999, Davis was invited by Kevin Eubanks from "The Tonight Show" to join their band and was a regular on "The Tonight Show" for three years before returning to New York to tour, record and teach.
Michael Sim, BK Groove's saxophonist, literally has a world of experience. He has lived in New York, Toronto, Montreal and parts of Europe. This gave him the opportunity to work with a variety of artists such as Phil Dwyer, Pat Collins, Dennis Chambers, Roy Hargrove and many others. Upon returning to the United States, Sim toured with Michael Franks, Mingus Big Band, and Lee Ritenour. He has made several original recordings as well as worked on other recordings and film soundtracks. While at Berklee College of music, Sim had the opportunity to perform with Clark Terry, Sonny Emory and Joe Williams. He has received the Boston Jazz Society award and received a merit award from Berklee.
George Colligan, keyboards, has been on the New York jazz scene for over a decade. He is an award-winning composer (Chamber Music America/Doris Duke Foundation grant recipient) and player (Jazzconnect.com Jazz Competition) and has over 80 recording credits as a sideman. A graduate of Peabody Conservatory of Music, he has toured, recorded, and/or performed as a sideman with Cassandra Wilson, Steve Coleman, Ravi Coltrane, Lenny White, Michael Brecker, and Christian McBride, among others. As BK Groove, they come together as seasoned musicians, reading each other like a favorite book, anticipating the next move perfectly, stepping out to solo at the perfect moment and keeping the groove going at all times. The quality of their musicianship is second to none.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Paula Crafton
Phone: 615-373-3143
Email: Mngt@BillyKilson.com
Jazz/Fusion drummer Billy Kilson has recorded a new CD, Pots & Pans with his band, Billy Kilson's BK Groove. Kilson's long list of sideman credentials includes stints with Chris Botti, Dave Holland Quintet, Bob James, Dianne Reeves and many others. He has appeared on over 100 recordings and toured with many of the top names in jazz and received many accolades and awards. As leader of his band, Billy Kilson's BK Groove, he has brought together a group of stellar musicians to create a sound that is a combination of jazz, funk and fusion.
Joining him on Pots & Pans" are Kenny Davis on bass (Herbie Hancock, Dianne Reeves, Art Farmer), Mike Sim on sax (Dennis Chambers, Roy Hargrove Michael Franks, Mingus Big Band) and George Colligan on keys (Ravi Coltrane, Lenny White, Michael Brecker, and Christian McBride).
All About Jazz called Pots & Pans "a great jazz/rock fusion piece that demonstrates the versatility of the group and their ability to explode in an array of awesome rock-inspired notes and progressive jazz elements." Contemporary Jazz says "I love the way Kilson and company glides effortlessly back and forth in tempo changes and harmonic structures. Therefore, it keeps the music vibrant, fresh, and interesting to listen to." And JazzRockWorld.com declares there are "no mistakes here and lots of great intuitive contributions. There are some great compositions that are played flawlessly right next to some really tight improvisations."
Pots & Pans is available through billykilson.com, cdbaby.com/kilson2 and through most music stores and on-line music retailers.
