Like most young drummers, Billy Kilson began his career in his mother’s kitchen with her pots and pans. However, he did not receive his first drum set until he was sixteen. Realizing he was working against the clock since most professional musicians began taking lessons on their chosen instrument in grade school, he immediately to work to develop his drumming skills and practiced as much as 14 hours a day.
Billy learned all different styles of playing. Inspired by funk and R&B, he listened to groups such as Sly and Family Stone, Earth Wind and Fire, Parliament & Funkadelic, Max Roach, Philly Joe Jones, Billy Cobham and played along with the records. At seventeen, Billy first heard Tony Williams on one of Miles Davis’ recordings. "I felt he was the most innovative drummer I had ever heard. I was mesmerized by his playing," recalls Billy. He was overwhelmed with the sound and kept trying to learn this technique, but felt he didn't have enough hands. "I kept saying, 'How does he do that. It's impossible!" Billy learned that Tony Williams' teacher was Alan Dawson who had taught at Berklee.
After high school, Billy enrolled at Berklee and absorbed everything Alan Dawson taught. Alan became his teacher, mentor and even a father figure. Finally, Alan announced that he had taught him everything he could and it was time to go out in the world and perform. Alan told Billy that Walter Davis Jr. was planning a European tour and looking for a drummer. Upon Dawson's recommendation, Billy was invited to audition where he landed the gig.
After the tour with Davis, word spread and the calls began to come. Donald Byrd, Ahmad Jamal and Dianne Reeves were some of the first artists who hired Billy for their tours. From this exposure, Billy caught the attention of George Duke, Najee, Freddie Jackson, Bob James and the calls kept coming. Eventually Dave Holland invited Billy to join his quintet. As the drummer for the Dave Holland Quintet, he brought an element of funk to the band, creating a new sound for them and catapulting them into a premiere group in jazz. Critics frequently lauded his performances, particularly his expertise with odd meters. Billy then joined Chris Botti’s band who had just landed an opening spot for Stings tour exposing Billy’s talents to a more diverse audience. Chris always allowed Billy the opportunity to stretch musically and he brought his element of funk and odd meters to Chris band.
Although he has achieved notable success as a sideman in concert and on recordings, Billy’s first love is creating and performing his own music. Influenced by the funk and fusion music of his youth, Billy began to write his own music and plan his first recording, While Ur Sleepin’. Later he assembled some of his peers, Kenny Davis, Mike Sim and George Colligan to form Billy Kilson’s BK Groove. They came 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.
They began performing and developing a new energy of their own which led them back to the studio to record. Like Billy, they all had diverse backgrounds and the project became a summation of their collective musical experiences. Their latest album, Pots & Pans is a jazz/funk/fusion project with a special nod to drummers.
Billy continues to perform with Chris Botti as well as with his own band, Billy Kilsons BK Groove.
