Billy Hart: Biography

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• Discography
• Biography
• Related Artists

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• Marvin "Smitty" Smith
• Billy Higgins
• Errol Parker
• Anthony Braxton
• Cecil Taylor
• Jack DeJohnette
• Joe Chambers

• Art Blakey
• Shadow Wilson
• Big Sid Catlett
• Philly Joe Jones
• Louis Hayes
• Vernell Fournier
• Harry Saunders

• Mary Lou Williams Collective

• Santi Debriano

• Mary Lou Williams Collective

• Buster Williams
• Eddie Henderson
• Cecil McBee
• Stan Getz
• George Mraz
• Nils Winther
• Joanne Brackeen

Born:

Nov 29, 1940 in Washington, D.C.

Genres:

Jazz Music, Bop Jazz Music, Classical Music

Decades Active:

1960's|1970's|1980's|1990's

Artistic Quality

Low

Cultural Impact

Low

Popularity

Low

Ratings Guide

A flexible drummer who has been a sideman in many different settings, Billy Hart is a creative player most at home playing advanced jazz. He worked early on in Washington, D.C., with Buck Hill and Shirley Horn, and was with the Montgomery Brothers (1961), Jimmy Smith (1964-1966), and Wes Montgomery (1966-1968). Hart was a member of Herbie Hancock's challenging sextet (1969-1973), and played regularly with McCoy Tyner (1973-1974) and Stan Getz (1974-1977), in addition to extensive freelancing (including recording with Miles Davis on 1972's On the Corner). His own opportunities to lead sessions have been comparatively rare, but Billy Hart has led interesting dates for Horizon, Gramavision, and Arabesque.

- Scott Yanow, All Music Guide