Stacy Dillard - Elite State of Mind (2005) FLAC

Stacy Dillard

“Stacy’s concept is original and inspiring. He is completely unpredictable and doesn’t bore you with stock licks. In fact he doesn’t bog himself down with just playing chord changes, and he plays ideas.

Stacy Dillard, raised in Muskegon Heights, Michigan, started playing the saxophone at a rather late age. In his hometown, there isn’t much music happening, but only Robert Moore, Stacy’s band instructor, and a host of close friends. Athletics was a big part of his life, leading to the late start on the instrument. Stacy attended college at Central State University in Wilberforce, Ohio to study with Dr. William Denza, Jim Smith, Chris Berg, and Lenard Moses. Very quickly, Dillard acquired the necessary knowledge that would soon put his name out on the local scene. It was a run-in with Wynton Marsalis in Dayton, Ohio that would turn his attention to the New York Scene. After graduation, Stacy took the act to Cincinnati, where he stayed for a short time and made his first recording appearance with Mike Wade on trumpet, drummer Melvin Broach and pianist William Menefield. Maturation was very rapid, finally leading the way to New York.

“A young saxophonist of serious promise” (Ben Ratliff, The New York Times), Stacy has caught the attention of many with his large and rich tone, developed ideas, accurate technique, work ethic, and patience, leading to a number of working opportunities. Dillard has played with Winard Harper, Cindy Blackman, Lenny White, Norman Simmons, Frank Lacy, Wycliffe Gordon, Eric Reed, Roy Hargrove, Stephon Harris, Ernestine Anderson, Terrell Stafford, Herlin Riley, John Hicks, Frank Wess, Mulgrew Miller, Clark Terry, Victor Lewis, Steve Wilson, Johnny O’neal, Antonio Hart, Russell Malone, Steve Turre, Jesse Davis, Buster Williams, Lewis Nash, Sherman Irby, James Hurt, Mark Whitfield, the Mingus Big Band, and a host of others in different genres of music, including Shirley Ceasar, Alex Bugnon, Stephanie Mills, Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth, and more.

He’s a true improviser Eric Reed

Stacy is a one-of-a-kind musician.Seriously Roy Hargrove

Hey man, This can PLAY! Wynton Marsalis

To sum it all up, Stacy Dillard is a perfect example of the fusing of tradition and innovation, the combination which keeps EVERYTHING fresh, exciting, energetic, theraputic, and more importantly, real.

Tracklist:
1.01 - Stacy Dillard - Saturdays (9:31)
1.02 - Stacy Dillard - Elite State of Mind (8:18)
1.03 - Stacy Dillard - Jonesville (7:31)
1.04 - Stacy Dillard - Beans & Cornbread (7:49)
1.05 - Stacy Dillard - The Rise and Set (6:09)
1.06 - Stacy Dillard - Mean Bean (11:33)
1.07 - Stacy Dillard - We Need Love (7:26)