Billy Martin (percussionist)
Encyclopedia
Billy Martin is an American jazz
drummer, best known as a member of jazz-funk trio Medeski Martin & Wood
.
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.
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
drummer, best known as a member of jazz-funk trio Medeski Martin & Wood
Medeski Martin & Wood
Medeski Martin & Wood is an American jazz trio formed in 1991, consisting of John Medeski on keyboards and piano, Billy Martin on drums and percussion, and Chris Wood on double bass and bass guitar....
.
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 MosesBob Moses (musician)
Rakalam Bob Moses is an American jazz drummer born in New York City.Moses played with Roland Kirk in 1964-65 while he was still a teenager. In 1966 he and Larry Coryell formed The Free Spirits, a jazz fusion ensemble, and from 1967 to 1969 he played in Gary Burton's quartet...
bands for over a decade. He also joined Chuck Mangione
Chuck Mangione
Charles Frank "Chuck" Mangione is an American flugelhorn player and composer who achieved international success in 1977 with his jazz-pop single, "Feels So Good." Mangione has released more than thirty albums since 1960.-Early life and career:...
's touring group for three years. Most notably he has developed as a percussionist for The Lounge Lizards
The Lounge Lizards
The Lounge Lizards are a jazz group formed in 1978 by saxophone player John Lurie.Initially a tongue in cheek "fake jazz" combo, drawing on punk rock and no wave as much as jazz, The Lounge Lizards have since become respected for their creative and distinctive sound.-History:Lounge Lizards were...
and with the John Lurie
John Lurie
John Lurie is an American actor, musician, painter and producer. He is co-founder of The Lounge Lizards, a jazz ensemble. Lurie has acted in 19 films including Stranger than Paradise and Down by Law, composed and performed music for 20 television and film works, and he produced and starred in...
National Orchestra, and has collaborated with artists such as John Zorn
John Zorn
John Zorn is an American avant-garde composer, arranger, record producer, saxophonist and multi-instrumentalist. Zorn is a prolific artist: he has hundreds of album credits as performer, composer, or producer...
, DJ Logic
DJ Logic
DJ Logic is an American turntablist active primarily in jazz and with jam bands.Kibler was born and raised in The Bronx. An early interest in hip hop led to his using the turntables, practicing often. Kibler was also interested in funk and jazz music, and began collaborating with various musicians...
, Dave Burrell
Dave Burrell
Davis Burrell is an American jazz instrumentalist, most notably on the piano. He has worked for many jazz musicians including Archie Shepp, Pharoah Sanders, Marion Brown and David Murray.- Biography :...
and Miho Hatori
Miho Hatori
is a singer, songwriter, and musician. She is primarily known as the vocalist of the New York City group Cibo Matto, and the first person to provide the voice of Gorillaz member Noodle.-Biography:...
. He has also started his own record label, Amulet Records
Amulet records
Amulet Records is a record label based in New Jersey specialising in percussion, avant-garde and experimental music. The label was established by the percussionist composer and visual artist Billy Martin in 1997...
, specializing in eclectic percussion albums. Martin has also collaborated with Iggy Pop
Iggy Pop
Iggy Pop is an American singer, songwriter, musician, and actor. Though considered an innovator of punk rock, Pop's music has encompassed a number of styles over the years, including pop, metal, jazz and blues...
, Eyvind Kang
Eyvind Kang
Eyvindur Kang , only child of Charles Shin-Chul Kang and Kristjana Gunnars, is an American composer, violinist, tuba, and erhu player...
, Chris Whitley
Chris Whitley
Christopher Becker Whitley was an American blues singer-songwriter and guitarist.Whitley changed his sound frequently, and achieved modest mainstream success while maintaining a small but devoted following...
, DJ Olive
DJ Olive
DJ Olive is an American disc jockey and turntablist active in free improvisation, jazz and illbient music. He is often credited with coining the latter term....
, Ikue Mori
Ikue Mori
, also known as Ikue Ile, is a drummer, composer, and graphic designer.-Biography:Ikue Mori was born and raised in Japan. She says she had little interest in music before hearing punk rock...
, John Scofield
John Scofield
John Scofield , often referred to as "Sco," is an American jazz guitarist and composer, who has played and collaborated with Miles Davis, Dave Liebman, Joe Henderson, Charles Mingus, Joey Defrancesco, Herbie Hancock, Pat Metheny, Bill Frisell, Pat Martino, Mavis Staples, Phil Lesh, Billy Cobham,...
, Maceo Parker
Maceo Parker
Maceo Parker is an American funk and soul jazz saxophonist, best known for his work with James Brown in the 1960s, as well as Parliament-Funkadelic in the 1970s. Parker was a prominent soloist on many of Brown's hit recordings, and a key part of his band, playing alto, tenor and baritone saxophones...
, Calvin Weston, Marty Ehrlich
Marty Ehrlich
Marty Ehrlich is a multi-instrumentalist and is considered one of the leading figures in experimental or avant-garde jazz....
, and Min Xiao-Fen
Min Xiao-Fen
Min Xiaofen is a Chinese pipa player and vocalist, known for her work in traditional Chinese music, contemporary classical music, and jazz.She studied with her father, Min Ji-Qian, a professor and pipa instructor at Nanjing University, and performed as pipa soloist for the Nanjing National Music...
.
Martin also sometimes goes by the moniker Illy B. The most notable releases as Illy B include the Illy B Eats series of breakbeat
Breakbeat
In 1992, a new style called "jungalistic hardcore" emerged, and for many ravers it was too funky to dance to. Josh Lawford of Ravescene prophesied that the breakbeat was "the death-knell of rave" because the ever changing drumbeat patterns of breakbeat music didn't allow for the same zoned out,...
records. DJ Logic
DJ Logic
DJ Logic is an American turntablist active primarily in jazz and with jam bands.Kibler was born and raised in The Bronx. An early interest in hip hop led to his using the turntables, practicing often. Kibler was also interested in funk and jazz music, and began collaborating with various musicians...
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
Shack-man
Shack-man is an album released by experimental jazz fusion trio Medeski Martin & Wood in 1996.-Track listing:All music by Medeski Martin & Wood.#"Is There Anybody Here That Love My Jesus" – 4:27#"Think" – 5:16#"Dracula" – 4:16#"Bubblehouse" – 4:27...
.
2006 was a prolific year for Martin; he created new chamber compositions for John Zorn's Tzadik
Tzadik
Tzadik/Zadik/Sadiq is a title given to personalities in Jewish tradition considered righteous, such as Biblical figures and later spiritual masters. The root of the word ṣadiq, is ṣ-d-q , which means "justice" or "righteousness", also the root of Tzedakah...
label, he released Out Louder
Out Louder
Out Louder is an album produced as a collaboration between Medeski Martin & Wood and John Scofield. It is the first album released under the name "Medeski Scofield Martin & Wood," since 1998's A Go Go was released under Scofield's name alone...
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)
Bob Moses
- Visit with the Great Spirit (1983, Gramavision)
- Drummingbirds (1984, Amulet)
- The Story of Moses (1987, Gramavision)
- Time Stood Still (1993, Gramavision)
John Lurie and the Lounge Lizards
- Live in Berlin Vol. 1 & 2 audio and film (1991)
- Men with Sticks (1993)
- Get ShortyGet ShortyGet Shorty is a 1990 novel by American novelist Elmore Leonard. In 1995, the novel was adapted into a film of the same name.-Plot summary:...
soundtrack (1995) - Fishing with John soundtrack (1998)
- African Swim/Manny and Low soundtrack (1999)
- The Legendary Marvin Pontiac (1999)
Medeski Martin & Wood
- Notes from the UndergroundNotes from the Underground (album)Notes from the Underground is the debut album by experimental jazz fusion trio Medeski Martin & Wood.-Track listing:#"Hermeto's Daydream" – 7:11#"The Saint" – 6:58#"La Garonne" – 5:51#"Orbits" – 4:25...
(1991, Amulet) - It's a Jungle in HereIt's a Jungle in HereIt's a Jungle in Here is an album released by experimental jazz fusion trio Medeski Martin & Wood.-Track listing:All songs by Medeski Martin & Wood except where noted.#"Beeah" – 6:56#"Where's Sly?" – 5:22#"Shuck It Up" – 7:41#"Sand" – 2:23...
(1993, Gramavision/Ryko) - Friday Afternoon in the UniverseFriday Afternoon in the UniverseFriday Afternoon in the Universe is an album released by experimental jazz fusion trio Medeski Martin & Wood.-Track listing:All music by Medeski Martin & Wood except where noted in brackets.#"The Lover" – 6:19#"Paper Bass" – 0:56#"House Mop" – 3:46...
(1995, Gramavision/Ryko) - Get ShortyGet ShortyGet Shorty is a 1990 novel by American novelist Elmore Leonard. In 1995, the novel was adapted into a film of the same name.-Plot summary:...
soundtrack (1995) - Shack-manShack-manShack-man is an album released by experimental jazz fusion trio Medeski Martin & Wood in 1996.-Track listing:All music by Medeski Martin & Wood.#"Is There Anybody Here That Love My Jesus" – 4:27#"Think" – 5:16#"Dracula" – 4:16#"Bubblehouse" – 4:27...
(1996, Gramavision/Ryko) - Farmer's ReserveFarmer's ReserveFarmer's Reserve is an album released by experimental jazz fusion trio Medeski Martin & Wood. It consists of one 40-minute minimalist improvisation followed by a 15-minute epilogue...
(1996, Indirecto/Amulet) - Wim Wender's The End of ViolenceThe End of ViolenceThe End of Violence is a 1997 film by the German director Wim Wenders. The film's cast includes Bill Pullman, Gabriel Byrne, Traci Lind, Rosalind Chao, Andie MacDowell, and Loren Dean, among others. It also features a soundtrack marked with the signature sounds of Wenders regulars Jon Hassell, Ry...
soundtrack (1997) - Great Jewish Music: Serge GainsbourgGreat Jewish Music: Serge GainsbourgGreat Jewish Music: Serge Gainsbourg is a tribute album featuring the music of French singer/songwriter Serge Gainsbourg. Executive-produced by John Zorn, it was released on Tzadik Records in 1997 as part of their series on "Radical Jewish Culture"....
(1997, Tzadik) - Great Jewish Music – Burt Bacharach (1997, Tzadik)
- Great Jewish Music: Marc BolanGreat Jewish Music: Marc BolanGreat Jewish Music: Marc Bolan is a tribute album featuring the music of English singer/songwriter Marc Bolan of the band T.Rex. Produced by Danny Cohen, it was released on John Zorn's label Tzadik Records in 1998 as part of their series on "Radical Jewish Culture", following similar prior tributes...
(1998, Tzadik) - CombusticationCombustication-Track listing:All music by Medeski Martin & Wood except where noted.#"Sugar Craft" – 3:22#"Just Like I Pictured It" – 3:27#"Start·Stop" – 6:39#"Nocturne" – 4:02#"Hey-Hee-Hi-Ho" – 3:15#"Whatever Happened to Gus" – 4:26#"Latin Shuffle" – 9:05...
(1998, Blue Note) - Last Chance to Dance Trance (Perhaps)Last Chance to Dance Trance (Perhaps)Last Chance to Dance Trance : Best Of is a greatest hits compilation released by Medeski Martin & Wood.-Track listing:#"Chubb Subb" – 5:21#"Bubblehouse" – 4:28#"Last Chance to Dance Trance " – 7:38...
(1999) - Tonic (2000, Blue Note)
- The DropperThe DropperThe Dropper is an album by experimental jazz fusion trio Medeski Martin & Wood.-Track listing:#"We Are Rolling" – 7:04#"Big Time" – 3:23#"Fèlic" – 3:21#"Partido Alto" – 5:42#"Illinization" – 2:31#"Bone Digger" – 2:22#"Note Bleu" – 3:01...
(2000, Blue Note) - UninvisibleUninvisibleUninvisible is an album by experimental jazz fusion trio Medeski Martin & Wood.-Track listing:All tracks by Medeski Martin & Wood except where noted.#"Uninvisible" – 3:37#"I Wanna Ride You" – 3:28...
(2002, Blue Note) - End of the World Party (Just in Case)End of the World Party (Just in Case)End of the World Party is an album released by Medeski Martin & Wood.The album made #1 on KTUH's charts on the week of November 8, 2004.-Track listing:# "Anonymous Skulls" – 4:24# "End of the World Party" – 5:11# "Reflector" – 4:11...
(2004, Blue Note) - Voices in the WildernessVoices in the WildernessMasada Anniversary Edition Volume 2: Voices in the Wilderness is the second album in a series of five releases celebrating the 10th anniversary of John Zorn's Masada songbook project....
(2003, Tzadik) - Let's Go EverywhereLet's Go EverywhereLet's Go Everywhere is an album of children's music released by Medeski Martin & Wood.-Track listing:All tracks by Medeski Martin & Wood.#"Waking Up" – 1:05#"Let's Go Everywhere" – 3:33#"Cat Creeps" – 2:46#"The Train Song" – 3:53...
(2008) - Radiolarians I (2008)
- Radiolarians II (2009)
John Scofield
- A Go GoA Go Go (John Scofield album)A Go Go, one of John Scofield's early funk/jazz endeavors was released on April 7, 1998. This album is also his first collaboration with avant garde jazz trio Medeski Martin & Wood.- Track listing :All compositions by John Scofield.#A Go Go#Chank...
(1998, Verve) - Out LouderOut LouderOut Louder is an album produced as a collaboration between Medeski Martin & Wood and John Scofield. It is the first album released under the name "Medeski Scofield Martin & Wood," since 1998's A Go Go was released under Scofield's name alone...
(2006, Indirecto)
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 (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)
DJ Logic
- For No One in Particular (2003, Amulet)
- Project Logic (1999, Rope-a-Dope)
- Global Noize (2008, Shanachie Recordings)
External links
- Billy Martin official website
- Medeski Martin & Wood official website
- Amulet Records website
- Riddim drum book website
- Martin's online art exhibit
- Starlings on John Zorn's Tzadik imprint
- Information on Drop the Needle
- Interview with Billy Martin