Bill Dillard

The sounds of early 20th century New Orleans were imported to Denmark by Philadelphia-born trumpet player and vocalist Bill Dillard. Having established his early reputation by playing on recording sessions by American jazz pioneer Jelly Roll Morton, at the age of 18, Dillard went on to record with Spike Hughes, Teddy Hill, Henry "Red" Allen, Bill Coleman, Coleman Hawkins, Roy Eldridge, Dizzy Gillespie, Benny Carter, and Django Reinhardt. Stepping into the spotlight, Dillard recorded his only album as a solo improviser, With Michael Boving's Rhythmakers, at the age of 79. Released in 1991, the album featured the accompaniment of Denmark-born banjo player Boving and his band, featuring trombone player Ole "Fessor" Lindgreen, tenor saxophonist/clarinetist John Defferary, alto saxophonist Hans Leonardo Pedersen, pianist Hans Knudsen, guitarist Leif Bjerborg, and drummer Didier Geers. While Dillard does a convincing job with Lindgreen's original tune, "Boiled Dog," most of the album was comprised of jazz standards, including "Bill Bailey," "Basin Street Blues," "Sweet Lorraine," "St. James Infirmary," and "Tin Roof Blues." Dillard died four years after the album's release in 1995. ~ Craig Harris