Billy Martin (percussionist)

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 as Illy B
Genres Jazz, funk
Occupation(s) Musician, composer
Instruments Drum kit, percussion
Years active 1980s–present
Associated acts Medeski Martin & Wood
Website www.billymartin.net

Billy Martin is an American jazz drummer, best known as a member of jazz-funk trio Medeski Martin & Wood.

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

Discography

Bob Moses

Ned Rothenberg

John Lurie and the Lounge Lizards

Medeski Martin & Wood

Iggy Pop

Oren Bloedow

Chris Whitley

John Scofield

Samm Bennett and Chunk

As soloist and chamber music composer

Illy B Eats

Socket

Dave Burrell

G. Calvin Weston

DJ Spooky

DJ Logic

Healing Sound series

W/ Wil Blades

External links