Many People in So Many Ways.
Stevie Wonder, Dave Garabaldi, Harvey Mason, Al Foster, Billy Higgins, Mel Lewis, Will Kennedy
Charles Ives, William Dawson, Aaron Copeland, Bill Bell, Chuck Isreals, Marv Nelson and Cidinho Teixeira just to name a few.
So Many More in So Many Ways
Willard Dyson, an active and extremely talented drummer on the New York and international music scenes, came to New York City in 1986 from Oakland California. A versatile musician, Willard is at home in a myriad of musical genres including Jazz, R&B, African, Latin and Brazilian music. Willard has worked regularly with a diverse group of musicians including Michael Franks, Joe Sample, Charlie Hunter, Regina Belle, Grady Tate, The Boy’s Choir of Harlem, Jimmy Scott, The New York Voices, Dakota Staton and Cassandra Wilson. He keeps very active in New York City by playing at local clubs, concerts, recording and private instruction.
Willard often tours the United States, Japan and Europe as well as numerous other countries. In 2003 he toured North Africa, The Middle East and South Asia as part of the U.S. Department of State and Kennedy Center’s Jazz Ambassador Program. He has been called, "perfect, imaginative, sensitive, exciting and subtle, with a stunning flair for devastating funk," in The Wellington Journal. In 2000 Willard was a featured percussion soloist with the Brooklyn Philharmonic Orchestra for the U.S. premier of Takashi Yoshimatsu’s saxophone concerto ‘Cyber-Bird’. Willard has also appeared on many national television shows including The Tonight Show, Soul Train, The Arsenio Hall Show, Good Morning America, The Today Show and BET.
Willard has been playing percussion since the 5th grade when he received his first drum set. He also sang in his church choir throughout junior and senior high school and received a scholarship to participate in the prestigious Young Musicians Program at the University of California at Berkeley. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Percussion Performance from California State Hayward University and a Master of Music degree in Jazz and Commercial Music from the Manhattan School of Music in New York City
Hiya, thanks for being a friend - I enjoyed visiting YourSpace :-) Keep it up May your life be full of love, light and fun... hugs SOREN - Beats for change - NYERTUN
Wow! I can't believe it's you after 30 years. I was in the Bay Area two years ago. I was sitting in Jack London Square wondering what had ever happened to Fire and Ice (Celeste, Kenny, Phil, Maurice and you). Now I know! You have been very busy. Phil just sent a note as well. Perhaps a reunion is in the making? I can't think of anything that I would love more than that.
Cancerian sentiment is so touching!:) You guys have the gift of cherishing every little detail.:)
I do hope we get the chance to meet during your European tour.:) I just came back from Holland/Hungary (did I already mention it), so money is tight; but we shall see what happens. Holland is so expensive, these people are mad. Look: http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.editAlbumPhoto&albumID=2120296&imageID=37292287
HOLA!!! Saludos Musicales, Visita mi myspace y podras escuchar un pequeno adelanto de mi proximo trabajo discografico YAOUNDE HI!!!!! Musical Greeting, visit my myspace and you will be able to listen a small preview of my upcoming release YAOUNDE. Mucha Paz, amor y musica Much Peace, Love and Music
Hi Willard!:) It was a nice surprise to discover my cousin's wardrobe was also all black, like mine.:)) I guess taste runs in the family.:) And we are all dressed up, because her family organized a restaurant reception for everyone. They spent around $700 on that...a bit overindulgent I think, so I was wondering, what is a prom like in the US? Anyway, how have you been? All good I hope! Been missing you! xxx D
Hi Willard - hope it was a good tour!:) Have a safe flight back! Will be checking up your schedule... There's this very cool singer I just discovered...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NjdHyc_idtk Ciao and besos :) D
