Jazz interview with jazz drummer Billy Kilson. Interview by email in writing.
JazzBluesNews.Space: – First let’s start with where you grew up, and what got you interested in music?
Billy Kilson: – Washington D.C., Drums chose me …
JBN.S: – What got you interested in picking up the drum?
BK: – Again, Drums chose me…
JBN.S: – What teacher or teachers helped you progress to the level of playing you have today?
BK: – What made you choose the drum? besides the drums choosing me, while attending Berklee College of Music, Alan Dawson was my teacher.
JBN.S: – How did your sound evolve over time? What did you do to find and develop your sound?
BK: – Practicing and performing with many artists over the past 30 years…
JBN.S: – What practice routine or exercise have you developed to maintain and improve your current musical ability especially pertaining to rhythm?
BK: – Alan Dawson has various exercises for us to practice yet the one I have kept close and still do daily is his rudimental ritual.
JBN.S: – Which harmonies and harmonic patterns do you prefer now?
BK: – Harmony and Harmonic patterns are for melodic instruments?
JBN.S: – Many aspiring musicians are always looking for advice when navigating thru the music business. Is there any piece of advice you can offer to aspiring students or even your peers that you believe will help them succeed and stay positive in this business?
BK: – Trust your instincts and practice, practice, practice …
JBN.S: – Аnd furthermore, can jazz be a business today or someday?
BK: – That I’m not sure?
JBN.S: – How can we get young people interested in jazz when most of the standard tunes are half a century old?
BK: – Introduce it and provide it on social media platforms….
JBN.S: – John Coltrane said that music was his spirit. How do you understand the spirit and the meaning of life?
BK: – I’m not wise enough nor have I lived long enough to understand the spirit nor the meaning of life yet…
JBN.S: – What are your expectations of the future? What brings you fear or anxiety?
BK: – No fear nor anxiety I try to be better than I was yesterday…
JBN.S: – What’s the next musical frontier for you?
BK: – Again be better than I was yesterday..
JBN.S: – Are there any similarities between jazz and world music, including folk music?
BK: – Yes its purity!
JBN.S: – Who do you find yourself listening to these days?
BK: – Classical, Traditional Jazz and Hip Hop …
JBN.S: – What’s your current setup?
BK: – The classic Buddy Rich Set up, 1 rack tom, 2 floor toms snare and bass drum. 2 ride cymbals, 2 crashes and 1 set of 13” Hi-Hats.
Interview by Simon Sargsyan
