* En anglais uniquement
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