UNITED ONE. RECORDS BILL GILLIAM

Bill Gilliam - Spirit Matter - U1CD 3023-2 "Spirit Matter" conjures up an exciting brand of original jazz that is just itching to get off the starting block and fly into your imagination! On this album, Bill continues to explore the musical possibilities between contemporary jazz and new music with compositions that are inspired by a desire to reconcile the irrational with the inevitable. This CD features a heavy hitting line-up of hot Toronto jazz talent with composer/pianist Bill Gilliam, Ernie Tollar (sax), Kevin Turcotte (trumpet), Duncan Hopkins (bass), Toronto-based Ben Riley (drums) and guest percussionist Marc Duggan. "Spirit Matter" was co-produced, mixed and mastered by two time Juno award winner recording engineer of the year (1992, 2001) Jeff Wolpert. Bill Gilliam is from London, England and moved to Toronto after completing his studies in jazz composition and film scoring at the Berklee College of Music in Boston in 1981. He has composed music for film, dance and theatre and produced solo concerts of his music in collaboration with such artists as pianist Eve Egoyan, violinist Adele Armin and percussionist Rick Sacks, Bill Brennan and Mark Duggan, Bill's first contemporary jazz CD "Urban Undercurrents" released in 1999 was recorded with assistance from FACTOR. This album featured Bill Gilliam composer/piano, Ernie Tollar (sax), Lina Allemano (trumpet), Dave Young (bass), and Howard Gaul (drums) and received rave reviews from Canadian and US jazz critics for it's fresh approach to the jazz ensemble format. Geoff Chapman, (Toronto Star "Jazz Notes" 1999) writes "Where have you been Bill Gilliam?...a sophisticated mix of future jazz and new music that illustrates truly imaginative writing and execution". "This Canadian attacks the piano with the power and rhythmic sensitivity of McCoy Tyner but uses the punch to create a style that leaps far beyond influences" (David McElfresh, Jazz Now, "Urban Undercurrents" review, March 2000) "Spirit Matter" was recorded with assistance from the Ontario Arts Council. Come out and listen to this fearless ensemble and enjoy the fall through the musical cracks! Web: www.bill-gilliam.com