Billy the Human

Born in July of 1979, Billy grew up in Metro Detroit, the youngest son of Theodore "Flip" Jackson, a Saxophonist of the Duke Ellington Orchestra. "Flip" was also well-known for writing Arrangements for the Detroit Symphony Orchestra and several Motown Recording Artists. In his youth Billy was surrounded by Music legends such as Marcus Belgrave, Martha Reeves, and Eddie Kendricks of the Temptations, to name a few. His first performance was at the age of 5, when he jumped on his parents' king size bed and Sang "New York, New York" to his family's surprise. He continued these "after-dinner guerilla performances" till he started playing the Bass Guitar at age 16. Although, it wasn't until he picked up an Acoustic Guitar that he found his own Music Identity. With the ability to Compose and Arrange Music the way he had Inherited, he began his plight. He has been a Singer/Songwriter ever since, working his way from the "Campfire Circuit", to Open-Mic nights, Coffee Houses and Seedy Local Bars. Inspired by Diverse Musical influences ranging from Ray Charles and Etta James, to Jeff Buckley, Nick Drake, Bjork and Joanna Newsom, he has developed a Unique and Eclectic Style. Over the past several years he has been playing his Often-Changing, Original Compositions and Arrangements with a Jazz Trio/Quartet. More recently he has been performing Solo Acoustic shows across Michigan, in upstate New York, throughout the Southwest, the West Coast, and has moved to Live and Perform at his resting place in Brooklyn, NY. He continues to Perform across the Midwest and works as a Producer for his Production Company, "Big Gig Productions", who has been host to the famed Jimmy Haslip as well as many others. Billy moved to Brooklyn to Develop Collaborations and Explore Venues in which to Showcase his Unique and Evolving Musical Style.