Billy Martin (percussionist)

Billy Martin (born October 30, 1963) is an American jazz drummer, best known as a member of jazz-funk trio Medeski Martin & Wood.

For other people known by this name, see Billy Martin (disambiguation).

Billy Martin
Billy Martin performing at the 2007 Bennett Alliance Concert Series in Cambridge, Massachusetts
Background information
Also known asIlly B
GenresJazz, funk
Occupation(s)Musician, composer
InstrumentsDrum kit, percussion
Years active1980s–present
Associated actsMedeski Martin & Wood
Websitewww.billymartin.net
Billy Martin (Copenhagen Jazz Festival 2007)

Biography

Before becoming part of Medeski, Martin & Wood, Martin was part of the New York City Brazilian scene in the 1980s. He performed regularly with Pe De Boi, Batucada and several Bob Moses bands for over a decade. He also joined Chuck Mangione's touring group for three years. Most notably he has developed as a percussionist for The Lounge Lizards and with the John Lurie National Orchestra, and has collaborated with artists such as John Zorn, DJ Logic, Dave Burrell and Miho Hatori. He has also started his own record label, Amulet Records, specializing in eclectic percussion albums. Martin has also collaborated with Iggy Pop, Eyvind Kang, Chris Whitley, DJ Olive, Ikue Mori, John Scofield, Maceo Parker, Calvin Weston, Marty Ehrlich, and Min Xiao-Fen.

Martin also sometimes goes by the moniker Illy B. The most notable releases as Illy B include the Illy B Eats series of breakbeat records. DJ Logic convinced Martin to record a breakbeat album for DJs and other producers to use and remix. At the last minute, Martin decided to place an insert which invited remixers to submit their mixes for a follow up compilation, Drop the Needle.

Along with his percussion work, Martin is a visual artist. He does printmaking, painting, pencil drawings, and pastel drawings, among other mediums. His work has been displayed in several galleries and is also on the packaging of many Medeski Martin & Wood albums, most notably the cover of Shack-man.

2006 was a prolific year for Martin; he created new chamber compositions for John Zorn's Tzadik label, he released Out Louder on MMW's new label Indirecto, he produced many new artworks, and published a drum book entitled Riddim: Clave of African Origin.

on DVD
  • "Billy Martin's LIFE ON DRUMS" (VongoleFilms.com)
  • "Billy Martin IN CONCERT" (VongoleFilms.com)

Discography

Bob Moses
  • Visit with the Great Spirit (1983, Gramavision)
  • Drummingbirds (1984, Amulet)
  • The Story of Moses (1987, Gramavision)
  • Time Stood Still (1993, Gramavision)

Ned Rothenberg
  • Overlays (1991, Moers)
  • Real and Imagined Time (1995, Moers)

John Lurie and the Lounge Lizards
  • Live in Berlin Vol. 1 & 2 audio and film (1991)
  • The John Lurie National Orchestra – Men with Sticks (1993)
  • Get Shorty soundtrack (1995)
  • Fishing with John soundtrack (1998)
  • African Swim/Manny and Low soundtrack (1999)
  • The Legendary Marvin Pontiac (1999)

Medeski Martin and Wood

Iggy Pop
  • Avenue B (1999, Virgin)

Oren Bloedow
  • Luckiest Boy in the World (1998, Knitting Factory Works)

Chris Whitley

John Scofield

Samm Bennett and Chunk
  • Life of Crime (1991, Knitting Factory Works)

As soloist and chamber music composer
  • Starlings (2006, Tzadik)
  • Black Elk Speaks (2001, Amulet)
  • Solo Live Tonic (2002, Amulet)

Illy B Eats
  • Illy B Eats Vol. 1 – Groove Bang and Jive Around (2001, Amulet)
  • Drop the Needle (2001, Amulet)
  • Antidote (2002, Amulet)
  • The Turntable Sessions Vol. 1 (2002, Amulet)
  • Illy B Eats Vol. 2 (Amulet)
  • Illy B Eats Vol. 3 (Amulet)

Socket
  • January 14 & 15 (2005, Amulet)

Dave Burrell
  • Consequences (2006, Amulet)

G. Calvin Weston
  • Percussion Duets (1996, Amulet)
  • Houston Hall (2006, Amulet)

DJ Spooky
  • Optometry (2002, Thirsty Ear)

DJ Logic
  • For No One in Particular (2003, Amulet)
  • Project Logic (1999, Rope-a-Dope)
  • Global Noize (2008, Shanachie Recordings)

Healing Sound series
  • Falling Water (1997, Amulet)

W/ Wil Blades
  • Shimmy (2012, Royal Potato Family)

Wicked Knee
  • Wicked Knee (2011, Amulet)
  • Heels Over Head (2013, Amulet)
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