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"The complete absence of all Pop and all modern Schnickschnack takes the admission clear and timeless."
"sounds very dynamic and sprays a breath of fusion and after to something end 70's Return tons of Forever sounds, when those had called off the skirt and to the radio were mutated."
-Ragazzi Music review of TOT
I have played music since a very early age, starting with violin at age 9, until at the age of 15 I came home from school one day to find an upright bass sitting in the living room. It was unanimously decided that I was to be the resident Weller family bassist (Mom plays woodwinds, Dad plays piano, and my brother Charlie plays drums). The Weller familly band still gets together for occasional San Diego concerts; you can find clips from our recent performances on Wellermusic
As of April 2010, my wife and I have moved to Brooklyn, NY. I have been blessed to fall into a band with an excellent singer/songwriter. The band is called Miss Tess & the Bon Ton Parade.
We will certainly miss San Diego; I returned to my hometown after graduating New England Conservatory of Music in 2006. I worked for two years at Hostelling International San Diego as a front desk agent (and manager), and left there to pursue musical opportunities. For the next two years I shared the stage with artists such as Gilbert Castellanos, Peter Sprague, Charles McPherson, Geoffrey Keezer, and Mike Wofford. At Gilbert's Tuesday night jazz jam, (my 2nd home since picking up the bass), I have backed artists such as Nicholas Payton, Ravi Coltrane, and Chuchito Valdez.
For a short time I also fell in with Scott Russo and the Big Big Bang, a rock band featuring Scott Russo from Unwritten Law.
From 2004 to 2006 I attended New England Conservatory in Boston, where I had the priviledge of studying bass with John Lockwood, Oscar Stagnaro, and Bob Moses. I also received instruction from artists such as Dave Holland, Danilo Perez, Jerry Bergonzi, and Jim McNeely. I also had the honor of playing with trumpeter Jason Palmer during my stay in Boston.
My 2006 release, Tree of Thorns on Circumvention Records, features a number of my original compositions. All four Wellers make an appearance, but the core trio features Bob on Piano, me on Bass, and the great Cliff Almond on Drums. You can listen to tracks from TOT right here on Wellermusic.
As for the other members of my family:
Charlie is currently a student at Berklee School of Music in Boston, and a former member of rock band The Real You on SmartPunk. They were one of 6 finalist bands in Takeover Record's 2005 Sign My Band Contest. Go check them out on TRY's Myspace, or at Purevolume.
Ellen's latest recording, Spirits, Little Dreams and Improvisations, features performances of many wonderful avant guarde musicians such as George Lewis and Vinnie Golia. Those familiar with Ellen's musical aspirations will fully appreciate this project as it combines elements of Klezmer, Jazz, and free improvisation. Read more about the concept behind, get information on ordering, and listen to tracks from SLD&I at Circumvention Records.
Thanks for listening!
For those of you who don't know about this guy, go and check him out. One of the most incredible jazz composers and musicians you will ever listen to.
Billy Childs
