DOORS @6PM, SHOWTIME: 7-8PM
Born and raised on the west side of Chicago, attending both Vandercook College of Music, and The Velvet Lounge as institutions of higher learning, gave Justin the honorable privilege to work with innovators locally and globally. Performing/recording with and/or receiving tutelage from the likes of: Branford Marsalis, Robert Irving III, Ornette Coleman, Kahil El'Zabar, Willie Pickens, Bobby Broom, the late NEA jazz master Von Freeman, George Freeman, and the great pillar of the Chicago jazz scene Fred Anderson, to name a few. Howard Reich (Chicago Tribune arts critic) writes: “A new generation of jazz improvisers has emerged in Chicago in recent years, but few are more promising than organist/pianist Justin Dillard. Musically, Dillard tends to be all over the keyboard, drawing upon the examples of virtuosos such as his mentors the late Dr. Lonnie Smith, and McCoy Tyner respectively. But there’s something more to Dillard’s work as well; a quest for new ideas in music, in the manner of his AACM mentors.” The Aggregation's intent is to continue the legacy of the organ masters of yesterday, today, and for as long as we can.
THE BAND:
Justin Dillard - Organ
Larry Brown Jr. - Guitar
Samuel Jewell - Drums