Billy Kilson

William Earl Kilson (born August 2, 1962) is an American jazz drummer.

Kilson was born in Washington, D.C.. He started on trumpet at ten, switched to trombone at 11, then to drums at 16. He studied at the Berklee College of Music from 1980 to 1985 and took private lessons from Alan Dawson during 1982–89. Following this he did a tour of Europe with Walter Davis.

He has played with Ahmad Jamal (1989), Dianne Reeves (1989–95), Greg Osby (1991), George Duke (1991–98), Steps Ahead (1993), Tim Hagans (1993 and subsequently), Terumasa Hino (1994–98), Bob James (1995 and subsequently), Dave Holland (since 1997), Bob Belden (1997) and Kevin Mahogany (1998). Other associations include Kirk Whalum, Freddie Jackson, Chris Botti, Donald Brown and Paula Cole.

Kilson is perhaps best known for his work with Holland. He plays on Holland's Grammy Award-nominated 1999 album Prime Directive and his Grammy-winning 2002 release What Goes Around.

Kilson has also led his own quartet ensemble along with James Genus and Tim Hagans. His debut release as a leader, Pots and Pans, appeared in 2006.

Discography

• Pots and Pans (2006)
• Descension rising (2016)

As sideman

With Dave Holland

• Points of View (1997, ECM)
• Prime Directive (1998, ECM)
• Not for Nothin' (2000, ECM)
• What Goes Around (2002, ECM)
• Extended Play: Live at Birdland (2003, ECM)
• Overtime (2005, ECM)

With Terence Blanchard

• Simply Stated (1992, Columbia)

References

• Billy Kilson at Modern Drummer
• Mark Gilbert, "Billy Kilson". Grove Jazz online.