Bill Dillard

The sounds of early 20th century New Orleans were imported to Denmark by Philadelphia-born trumpet player and vocalist Costs Dillard. Having set up his early popularity by playing on documenting periods by American jazz pioneer Jelly Move Morton, at age 18, Dillard continued to record with Spike Hughes, Teddy Hill, Henry “Crimson” Allen, Costs Coleman, Coleman Hawkins, Roy Eldridge, Dizzy Gillespie, Benny Carter, and Django Reinhardt. Stepping in to the limelight, Dillard documented his only record as a single improviser, With Michael Boving’s Rhythmakers, at age 79. Released in 1991, the record highlighted the accompaniment of Denmark-born banjo participant Boving and his music group, featuring trombone participant 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 will a convincing work with Lindgreen’s first tune, “Boiled Pet dog,” a lot of the record was made up of jazz criteria, including “Costs Bailey,” “Basin Road Blues,” “Special Lorraine,” “St. Adam Infirmary,” and “Tin Roof Blues.” Dillard passed away four years following the album’s discharge in 1995.