Stan Killian at Nocturne | June 18 & 19

Born and raised in Texas, Killian began performing professionally at age 16. He graduated from Texas State University in 2001 where he studied improvisation with pianist James Polk – a Grammy nominated arranger and organist for The Ray Charles Orchestra – and saxophone with John Mills.

Killian performed extensively as a sideman in Austin, Houston and San Antonio before forming his own band which featured his father on piano.  At the age of 21, he released his first recording, Straight Ahead. A year later, he followed-up with Deep Down, an album of ballads and blues.

In 2003, Killian formed Com Você with vocalist Margret Grebowicz, a quintet whose repertoire consisted mostly of odd meter arrangements of bossa novas classics and Wayne Shorter tunes. The resulting work produced a 2005 release entitled Candeias for the French record label Nocturne and an opening act slot for Zé Renato on his first American solo tour.

In 2006, Killian moved to the east coast, ultimately ending up in Brooklyn. In 2011, he released his first record for Sunnyside Records called Unified, which featured his working Quartet plus guests Roy Hargrove, David Binney and Jeremy Pelt.  The album received favorable reviews in JazzTimes, Down Beat, All About Jazz, The New York City Jazz Record and others. Stan performs with his band every 2nd Tuesday at the 55 Bar in Manhattan and tours internationally.

Purchase ticket to Killian’s performance at Nocturne here.