Justin Dillard
Most pianists boast of an early start on piano. With Justin Dillard it
is precisely the opposite. Justin Dillard was born and raised on the west
side of Chicago in a rich thriving musical home. A grandmother who played
piano and sang, a jazz enthusiast grandfather, and a singing single mother
who instilled in him the values of pride of self and fear of God. Moving
to Oak Park for a chance at a better life, Justin learned quickly of the
importance of education necessary to succeed.
While attending Percy Julian Jr. High School he was discovered by then
choir director
Barbara Suggs-Mason. Escalating from Percy Julian Jr. High School he
entered Oak Park and River Forest High School. Via Mrs. Suggs-Mason’s
encouragement Justin began formal lessons in his junior year through the
Steckman Studio of Music under the guidance of teacher and mentor Dave
Gessner. After three years with Mr. Gessner, Justin moved on to further
his musical training by teaching himself the rest of the knowledge he
needed to survive in an advanced musical environment. Deciding in his
final year of high school that music was to be his career of choice, he
enrolled in the prestigious institution Vandercook College of Music; where
he is currently earning his BA in music education.
Justin has had the privilege to have performed with and/or received
tutelage from: McCoy Tyner, Kenny Garrett, Hamid Drake, Jon Faddis, Eric
Lewis, Roy Hargrove, Ornette Coleman, Willie Clayton, Don Moye’, Herbie
Hancock, Maurice Brown, Henry Grimes, Oliver Lake, Clark Terry, Wynton
Marsalis, James Newton, Branford Marsalis,
Ellis Marsalis, Donald Harrison, and Delfeayo Marsalis.
He has also had the esteemed pleasure to have worked in conjunction and/or
studied alongside prominent world-renowned resident musicians in and
around the Chicago area, such as:
Von Freeman, Ernie Adams, Bobby Irving III, Malachi Thompson, Erma
Thompson, Dee Alexander, Ari Brown, Thurman Barker, Hamiet Bluiett, Maggie
Brown, Fred Anderson, The AACM Big Band, Billy Bang, Nicole Mitchell,
Kahil El’Zabar, And Ernest Dawkins (Live The Spirit Big Band and Chicago
12 ensembles respectively).
Justin continues to advance his ambitions and transform his career by
leading, orchestrating and creatively composing for his ensembles. All
while accompanying great musicians around the world. Justin resides in
Chicago.
