Justin Dillard (keyboard, piano)Kenny Phelps (percussion)Ivan Taylor (guitar)Justin Dillard bio:Born and raised on the west side of Chicago and attending both Vandercook College of Music and The Velvet Lounge; his studies at both institutions gave him the honorable privilege to work with innovators locally and globally performing/recording with and/or receiving tutelage from the likes of: Branford Marsalis, Robert Irving III, Ornette Coleman, the late jazz master Von Freeman and Roscoe Mitchell to name a few. Howard Reich (Chicago Tribune arts critic) writes: “A new generation of jazz improvisers has emerged in Chicago in recent years, but few are more promising than organist/pianist Justin Dillard. Musically, Dillard tends to be all over the keyboard, drawing upon the examples of virtuosos such as Dr. Lonnie Smith, Eddie Harris and McCoy Tyner. But there’s something more to Dillard’s work as well; a quest for new ideas in music, in the manner of his AACM mentors.” Justin has performed on national television (ABC) with his organ expose’ The DOT; and has played in various genres spanning Avant Garde with the late tenor master Fred Anderson to a Dave Matthews tribute band (Crash). He continues to transform his career by composing for and peforming with his vast array of ensembles; all while accompanying great musicians all over the world. Stay tuned…
Ivan Taylor bio:Born in Southern, Illinois in 1984, Ivan Taylor has been playing the bass since he was nine years old. He Had an illustrious high school career, playing with the Illinois All-State Jazz Band, The Grammy Band, and Chicago Jazz masters Von Freeman and Orbert Davis.
Ivan was a star performer at the 2002 Essentially Ellington competition where he met Wynton Marsalis. This meeting led him to enroll in the Juilliard School of Music. He had a strong impact on the New York scene, performing with Rashid Ali, Juilliard Jazz Orchestra, louis Hayes, Nicholas Payton, Curtis Fuller, Mike Philips, Kenny Garrett, Delfeayo Marsalis, Wynton Marsalis, Robert Glasper, Take 6, Rodney Jones, Russell Malone, Steve Nelson, Carmen Lundy, Hank Jones, Mulgrew miller, Cyrus Chestnut, Jonathan Baptiste, Maurice Brown, Diana Ross, KJ Rose, Marly Marl, Lakecia Benjamin, Joey d Francesco, Tia Fuller, Louis Nash and many others. He has studied with Ben Wolfe and Ron Carter. Recorded on grammy nominated albums.
Since 2021 He has been a member of Lakecia Benjamin band and touring internationally. Ivan’s Major influences are George Benson, Ray Brown, Israel Crosby, Stanley Clark, Gary Granger, Jaco Pastorius, John Patitucci, Ron Carter, and Christian McBride.
He has the ability to play both Upright and electric bass with equal agility. Ivan also plays the guitar at a exceptional level which he plans to feature on more future albums.
Kenny Phelps (drummer) bio:Kenny Phelps cut his musical teeth in church , enlivening worship services and later touring with gospel groups as a drummer . A self – taught percussionist , Phelps developed his jazz knowledge and experience in the 1990s through the mentoring assistance of bassist Frank Smith and pianist Steve Allee . Beginning in 2004 , Phelps has been aligned with the American Pianists Association and played in the rhythm section for the Premier Series and Finals of their prestigious Jazz Awards . This early association with APA and introduction to guest performer , Dee Dee Bridgewater , in 2011 led to Phelps being hired to tour with Dee Dee internationally for six years.
His twenty-five years of playing experience has involved performances with Wynton Marsalis , Eartha Kitt , Michael Brecker , Slide Hampton, Wycliffe Gordon, Chuchito Valdes , and the New York Voices. Other Indianapolis and Midwest-based performers with whom Kenny has worked and recorded include the Debarge Family, Rob Dixon, Pharez Whitted, Fareed Haque, Derrick Gardner, and Melvin Rhyne. Starting in 2009, he was active in a family fusion band, Hananeel, with his brother, a nephew, and others. In 2011, Kenny purchased Owl Music Group, an outgrowth of Owl Records, a local jazz label. A year later, he became Owl’s CEO, turning the company into a humanitarian arts organization reaching out to young musicians and community organizations such as the Julian Center and the Wheeler Mission Ministries. The Community Outreach arm brings music to these agencies and supplements the concerts with served meals. The Beyond the Stage program is devoted to enriching the lives of youth through music education, engagement, and entertainment. In collaboration with public – school systems, it provides mentoring and direction to aspiring instrumentalists and singers considering music as a career. Since 2022 Phelps has been the host of the ” Smooth Jazz Show ” on WICR 88.7fm for the University of Indianapolis.
Ticket: $25*Do I need to print my ticket?No, but will help. Due to different systems, some people might not get the second email of tickets with QR codes.You can either print your email receipts or simply show them on your phone upon arrival.
**Please check our FB page for announcements and cancellations.
#JustinDillard #IvanTaylor #KennyPhelps #livejazzevent #cafecodamadisonwi