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Art Lillard
Composer, arranger, bandleader, lyricist, and drummer Art Lillard grew up in Miami, where his jazz roots include playing with the great master Ira Sullivan and studying with pianist/composer Wally Cirillo. Art also studied at Karl Berger’s Creative Music Studio in Woodstock, New York, where his instructors included Anthony Braxton, Don Cherry, Jack DeJohnette, Dave Holland, Stu Martin, and John Surman. Subsequently, he graduated from Berklee College of Music in Boston with a bachelor’s degree in composition and arranging, having garnered multiple scholarships and honors along the way. Art has also studied with Dean Anderson, Steve Bagby, Tom Boras, Paul Caputo, Andrew Cyrille, Mike Gibbs, Mike Holober, Greg Hopkins, Joe Hunt, Jim McNeely, Portinho, Maria Schneider, Kenny Werner, and Eliot Zigmund.
Art’s nine-horn Heavenly Big Band has been playing in clubs and concert spaces since 1987. Their compact disc, “Reasons to be Thankful,” was released on the Summit Records label in 2006, and their “Certain Relationships” in 2015. Art’s On Time Band, a trio/quartet that has been performing for many years, produced a recording, “It’s Time,” released by Summit in 2009. In 1998, Art's seven-piece swing band, Blue Heaven, appeared on television playing original compositions on two episodes of CBS's daytime series, "Guiding Light.”
A professional musician since 1970, Art has had a rich performing career. He has led and co-led many jazz ensembles. He has also played drums as a sideman in groups of various musical genres, including jazz, country & western, cabaret, rock, and show music. He has recorded with some of these groups. Along the way, he has played with such jazz luminaries as Ben Brown, Jaki Byard, Gilly Coggins, Junior Cook, Kenny Davern, Buddy DeFranco, Joe Diorio, Bobby Forrester, Eric Gunnison, Greg Hopkins, Paul Horn, Nancy King, Cecil McBee, Arturo O’Farrill, the aforementioned Ira Sullivan, and many more.
Art has written hundreds of compositions in a wide range of musical genres and is often commissioned by performers, producers and other composers to arrange music for vocalists and instrumental groups. Art’s original works appear on cd recordings by vibraphonist Gust Tsilis, vocalist Larry Browne, saxophonist Claire Daly, flutist Jan Leder, the band Groovalaya, and the duo of guitarist Pere Soto and saxophonist David Valdez. Art also wrote and scored the soundtrack for a film, “The Wannabees.” Some of his compositions can be heard on episodes of the MTV productions, “Jackass” and “Cat House,” and on HBO’s “True Blood,” as well as in the 2014 movie, “Teacher of the Year,” and an online commercial for Mercedes Benz.
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Art Lillard's Heavenly Big Band at the New York City Baha’i Center
by Tyran Grillo
Art Lillard's Heavenly Big Band New York City Baha'i Center New York, NY August 22, 2017 In this teetering age in which we live, where one wrong move might tip an edge too far in one direction, drummer/composer Art Lillard and his Heavenly Big Band" stand firmly toward the center, finding balance in more than just a solid groove or memorable lick. Rather, Lillard understands that sharing music needn't be political, fiercely philosophical, ...
Continue ReadingArt Lillard's On Time Trio at Sugarcane, Brooklyn
by Tyran Grillo
Art Lillard's On Time Trio Sugarcane Brooklyn, NY June 24, 2015 Attend jazz performances in a big city like New York long enough, and you're liable to realize how often the genre serves as a background to social activities. By the same token, music which isn't always fully acknowledged can peek its head above the surface with a voice all the more genuine for reaching out from a place of self-reflection. Such was the dynamic ...
Continue ReadingArt Lillard's Heavenly Big Band: Certain Relationships
by Jack Bowers
Drummer Art Lillard's Heavenly Big Band continues to spread sunshine and happiness on Certain Relationships, an album recorded in three sessions spanning the half-dozen years between 2005-2011. Of the fifteen selections, nine are vocals --by Pete McGuinness, Hilary Gardner, Andrea Wolper, Mary Foster Conklin or Dominique Eade. In Lillard's optimistic eyes, even the blues are gladsome (as Wolper affirms on Track 5, the buoyant Happy Blues"). And the shuffling You Bluesed Me," nicely sung by Conklin, is far more sunny ...
Continue ReadingArt Lillard's Heavenly Band: Reasons to Be Thankful
by Jack Bowers
Although drummer Art Lillard's Heavenly Band makes its home about as far from heaven as one could plausibly roam--New York City, to be precise--the music it produces on Reasons to Be Thankful (recorded in 2000 and released six years later) evokes at times an empyrean vibe, thanks in part to blissful arrangements by Lillard and guitarist Mark McCarron and spirited blowing by the ensemble. As for the point of view, it might best be described as contemporary swing, employing sophisticated ...
Continue ReadingArt Lillard's Heavenly Band: Reasons To Be Thankful
by Michael P. Gladstone
File this one under: Swingin' NYC Big Band! Drummer, bandleader and composer Art Lillard has been leading versions of this organization over the past nineteen years and has produced in Reasons To Be Thankful an upbeat and impressive album that exposes several talented and underappreciated musicians in the Big Apple. The thirteen selections are all Lillard originals, save for one by guitarist Mark McCarron, who also contributes several fine guitar solos throughout the album.
Lillard also shows a ...
Continue ReadingArt Lillard: Reasons to be Thankful
by Jim Santella
Recorded in 2000, this session by Art Lillard's big band combines lively swing and a traditional mainstream essence into one original package. Lillard and members of his organization wrote the music for this romping program. Lillard, a drummer, leads the band with a swinging rhythmic foundation and comfortable strides. He brings in vocal soloists for six of the thirteen tracks.
Lillard's variable-pitch drum solo on Bluez Organ Man, and the song's incredible fusion of Caribbean percussion with big ...
Continue ReadingArt Lillard's Heavenly Big Band at Iridium on August 10
Source:
Michael Ricci
With guest sax soloist Bob Mover
Iridium 1650 Broadway @ 51st Street New York, NY
212-582-2121
Tuesday, August 10 Sets at 8:00 and 10:00 P.M. Tickets: $25
About Art Lillard Art Lillard is a musician with many gifts. In each of his musical roles--drummer, composer, arranger and bandleader--he shares with us his unique and refreshing contribution to our musical culture. He has been leading his own jazz big-band, Art Lillard's Heavenly Band, since 1987, playing in ...
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Art Lillard Upcoming Appearances
Source:
All About Jazz
Hello again! I'd love to see you at one of my upcoming performances.
You can hear clips from Reasons to be Thankful, my new Heavenly Band recording on the Summit label, by going to my web site: http://www.artlillard.com/audio.htm This cd is available at record stores everywhere.
You can also download one of the tracks at: http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/jazzdownload.php?id=1350
Here is the current calendar:
Friday, May 5 Jam Session with Maria Lazzaro Liberty Heights Tap Room 34 ...
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Art Lillard April Performances
Source:
All About Jazz
Art Lillard upcoming performances with various bands:
Thursday, April 13 The Jan Leder Quartet The Eighth Note 254 West 23rd Street, New York City Jan Leder on flute, Hiroshi Yamazaki on piano, Sean Smith on bass, Art Lillard on drums Sets at 10:30 PM & 12 midnight $7 cover, 2 drink minimum www.Jan Leder.info
Sunday, April 16 Art Lillard's Heavenly Band in a CD ...
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Art Lillard March and April Performances
Source:
All About Jazz
Art Lillard has released a new cd of all original music, Reasons to Be Thankful featuring his Heavenly Big Band, on the Summit label. You can hear clips of the recording here: http://www.artlillard.com/audio.htm
Here are some of Art's upcoming performances with various bands: Thursday, March 23 The Art Lillard Trio Sugarcane Caribbean cuisine restaurant 238 Flatbush Avenue between Bergen Street & Sixth Avenue, Park Slope, Brooklyn Steve Blum on guitar, ...
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Art Lillard Upcoming Performances
Source:
All About Jazz
Two imminent Art Lillard performances:
Friday, March 17: The Art Lillard Quartet featuring Ray Gallon on piano, Steve Blum on guitar, Nick Cudahy on bass, Art Lillard on drums at the Garage 99 Seventh Avenue South, between Grove & Barrow Streets, NYC 5:45 till 9:45 PM NO COVER
Sunday, March 19 Art Lillard's Heavenly Band CD release event for Reasons to be Thankful at ...
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Art Lillard's Heavenly Band March 4th at The Center for Performing Arts at Rhinebeck
Source:
All About Jazz
Tuesday, March 4th Art Lillard's Heavenly Band The Center for Performing Arts at Rhinebeck 661 Route 308 in Rhinebeck, New York http://www.centerforperformingarts.org/
For tickets and information about upcoming events, please contact The CENTER's Box Office at (845) 876-3080
8-10pm (doors open at 7pm) adult admission$20 seniors, students and children admission $18
2 shows of 45 minutes for listening and or dancing with this wwingin' New York ...
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The Art Lillard Quartet Tuesday, February 14 at the Ear Inn
Source:
All About Jazz
February 13, 2006 To: Listings/Critics/Features From: JAZZ PROMO SERVICES Press Contact: JIM EIGO, [email protected] Tuesday, February 14 The Art Lillard Quartet at the Ear Inn 326 Spring Street, between Greenwich & Washington Streets, NYC 11:59 PM till 3:00 AM With Jon Davis on piano, Paul Carlon on sax and flute, Joe Fitzgerald on bass, Art Lillard on drums NO COVER Art Lillard Upcoming Appearances and New Summit CD Reasons to be Thankful" The new Heavenly Band recording, Reasons to be ...
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Art Lillard Upcoming Appearances and New Summit CD: Reasons to be Thankful
Source:
All About Jazz
February 1, 2006 To: Listings/Critics/Features From: JAZZ PROMO SERVICES Press Contact: JIM EIGO, [email protected] Art Lillard Upcoming Appearances and New Summit CD Reasons to be Thankful" The new Heavenly Band recording, Reasons to be Thankful," is being released on the Summit Record label on February 7, 2006. This CD features all original jazz compositions, both vocal and instrumental, in a variety of swing and Latin feels. All tracks were recorded at Nola, one of New York's top studios. For more ...
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A solid ensemble with soloists who can ideate with the best - John Gilbert, EjazzNews
File this one under: Swingin' NYC Big Band! - Michael P. Gladstone, AllAboutJazz
Lillard’s variable-pitch drum solo on “Bluez Organ Man,” and the song’s incredible fusion of Caribbean percussion with big band, is one of the session’s high points. - Jim Santella, AllAboutJazz
Reasons to be Thankful is a recording of fresh original material with wonderful orchestration and a unique way of blending the swing fad and the modern big band sound in one setting. This album merits many reasons to be thankful, which lovers of the big band sound will recognize. - Edward Blanco, AllAboutJazz
Primary Instrument
Drums
Location
New York City
Willing to teach
Beginner to advanced
Credentials/Background
TEACHING EXPERIENCE 2001-present and 1986-94 Maggio Music, Brooklyn, NY. Teach drums, flute, piano. 2001- 2003 New York City Public Schools. Substitute teacher (music). Spring 2001 Public School 226, Brooklyn, NY. Taught music theory, flute-recorder, and instrumental music to middle school classes. 1997 Bromley Studio, Brooklyn, NY. Taught various instruments. 1996 Music faculty, Long Island University, Brooklyn, NY