Percussionist Billy Martin will perform his “Black Elk Speaks” compositions and other spontaneous pieces for bass drums, gongs, drum set, balaphones, mbiras and more. . .
Billy Martin, founding member of Medeski, Martin & Wood, can truly be considered a musical veteran, and has performed on over 55 albums during the last 18 years, ranging from John Scofield to Iggy Pop as well as Bobby Previte’s ensemble at Next Wave, Sam Bennett’s Chunk, Ned Rothenburg’s Double Band, Oren Bloedow’s band, John Lurie’s Lounge Lizards, John Zorn’s Electric Masada and the Sweet Lizard Illtet (where he received the nick name illy B)
In 1995, Martin started Amulet Records (www.amulet records,com), a label that has released a umber of percussion recordings, traditional Gamelan music and reissues of several of Bob Moses’ recordings. He has also delved headlong onto the art world with several art exhibitions (www.illyb.com) and more to follow coinciding with MMW tours. Martin has several projects expected to be completed in the next year ranging from a breakbeats record, illy B Eats, a book to a line of clothing (www.illywear.com)