Born: November 14, 1983 Primary Instrument: Piano
Pianist, and Composer Willerm Delisfort is a messenger of life using music as his tool. His career extends the continuum of musical styles that ranges from Jazz, Gospel, R&B and many more. Because of this, Willerm's versatility has created a high demand for him with prominent jazz, rap, soul, and fusion artists including 2009 Best World Guitarist Fareed Haque, Grammy Award winning artist T-Pain, Louis Bellson , Lew Soloff, Calvin Newborne, Corey Wilkes, Curtis Fuller, Jimmy Heath, David Sanchez, Jennifer Holiday, George Freeman, Red Holloway, Javon Jackson, Melton Mustafa Sr, Peter Erskine, Freddie Jackson, and more.
He has performed over 20 festivals all around the Globe, branching from the west coast of the United States, all the way to Europe, touring Spain, and the United Kingdom. Even in the lights of main stage theater, you can always expect Willerm in the orchestra pit, either conducting or playing the lead piano book. Headlining shows such as Dreamgirls, Ain't Misbehavin, Crowns, Aida, The Best of Broadway, and Don't Bother Me I Can’t Cope.
Willerm has been featured on over 7 albums on piano, along with several commercial recordings broadcast all over the world. His most recent, the critically acclaimed “Flat Planet” by Virtuosity Guitarist Fareed Haque which is available on Owl Studio Records. Next expected release will be Willerm's debut album entitled “Freedom Riders” scheduled to be release in September 2009.
The 2006- '09 Recipient of the Northern Illinois University Liberace Scholarship, Willerm spent 3 years studying with the Legendary Willie Pickens. Challenging, maturing him to love and submit to the music, his hunger for self expression grew rapidly.
Willerm Delisfort is here to stamp his name into the books of history. Till this day he endorses expressions of gratefulness for the knowledge that was passed down to him from all those who had a hand in setting him on the path that he is currently on. It was with their patience and understanding which have taught him how to love his art for more than nickels and dimes, but as a message to the world. He strives to amaze those around him, with his simple yet multifaceted soulful ways of self expression; hoping that someday he will give his parents the honor of having a child that have had major influence in music today...
Awards:
Chicago Union League Jazz Improv Competition Winner 2006 -- Liberace Scholar '06-'09”I saw him play at my school this past winter and he absolutely blew me away. I've downloaded his music from Myspace and I've listened the living hell out of it (especially Son of Afrika and Modalic Blues). The instruments that The Delisfort Project uses are: piano, trumpet, both tenor and alto sax, electric guitar, drums, standing or electric bass, and xylophone.”
“his music is great! i would say it is pretty much straight-ahead hard bop/post bop, with his own distinct voice, of course.”
“Rounding out the group, was pianist Willerm Dellisfort, and the young keyboardist's work was a true revelation. Combining a modern jazz Monk- like tonality with powerful, sensitive and inventive lines, Dellisfort was impressive in his ability to counter Haque's angular forays with compelling bursts and surprising directions of his own creation. Subrata BhattacharyaSeveral of his unexpectedly inspired outbursts elicited broad smiles from his band leader, who clearly enjoys interacting with other highly- talented musicians in a live setting.”
“I was really lucky to see the delisfprt project at the niu summer jazz camp, and i was blown away by your performance. I have seen many great musicians play live such as Clark Terry, Benny Golson, and Wynton Marsalis; but when I saw the delisfort project I felt everyone's personality and soul in the music. It wasn't as much the great playing that I enjoyed (all the musicians were amazing) but what really amazed me was how the passion and love that they put into the music. That was one of the best concerts I have ever seen. I hope that some day I could maybe express myself like that on my trumpet. You are an amazing pianist and writer Willerm Delisfort.”
“With a big, round timbre that ranged from breathy to bristling, Golson turned in a series of smartly crafted, seemingly effortless solos. The most gentle lyricism came on “I Remember Clifford,” Golson's homage to his long- ago colleague, trumpeter Clifford Brown. It remains jazz's finest elegy. In that piece and throughout the set, he got strong support from musicians at least two generations younger. On “Clifford,” most came from pianist Willerm Delisfort.”
Freedom Riders
Unsigned
2009
Tracks: Son of Afrika; Freedom Riders; Someone To Talk To; Tuskegee Experiment; The Island of Ziesha; Without A Home; Modalic Blues (Live).
Personnel: Marquis Hill: Trumpet; Patrick Terbrack: Saxophone; Larry Brown Jr.: Guitar; Willerm Delisfort: Piano; Kevin Smith: A.Bass; Tim Seisser: E.Bass; Clif Wallace: Drums, Shirazette Tinnin: Drums, Makaya McCraven: Drums; Juan Pastor: Percussion.
As A Side Musician
Expressions
Brooke Alford
Unsigned
2006
Live At The Velvet Lounge (2 Disc)
Saalik Ziyad
Unsigned
2007
Flat Planet
Fareed Haque
Owl Studio
2009
Invitations
Patrick Terbrack (Post Recording)
Unsigned
2010
TBA
Fareed Haque (Post Recording)
Owl Studio
2010
Deep Thoughts
Milton Suggs (Post Recording)
Unsigned
2010
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Primary Instrument:
Piano
Location:
New York, NY
Willing to teach:
Beginners
Credentials/Background:
Music Director
2000-2004 African Heritage Culture Arts Center Miami, FL
Taught Students to play Band Instruments and read music from the age of 8-
18yrs old.
Contact Mr. Davis
6161 NW 22nd Avenue, Miami, Florida 33142 (305) 638-6771
Graduate Assistant at Northern Illinois University
Large Ensemble Director of the All-University Jazz Band
Small Ensemble Director of the University Jazz Combos
Contact Mr. Ron Carter
Northern Illinois University Dekalb, IL 60115
Northern Illinois University Jazz Camps
Instructed Kids from the ages of 15-18 how to play jazz
Contact Deborah Booth
Northern Illinois University Dekalb, IL 60115 (815) 753-1450
Private Lesson all over such as Florida, Chicago to university students and
private students, Lima Peru, Liverpool United Kingdom.
Clinic/Workshop Information:
THEMATIC PLAYING:
How to play as a group,
Knowing your role in a band, and how to extend from there.
JAZZ PIANO:
Comping
HARMONIC APPROACH:
What makes a chord unique from others?
