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Behn Gillece
Having spent many years deeply embedded in the vibrant jazz scenes of New York and Philadelphia, Behn Gillece has carved out a distinguished reputation as both a virtuosic vibraphonist and a prolific composer. Drawing inspiration from luminaries like Milt Jackson, Gary Burton, and Bobby Hutcherson, Gillece has dedicated himself to pushing the boundaries of vibraphone artistry while leaving an indelible mark on the jazz landscape as a composer. Hailing from New Jersey, Gillece honed his craft through numerous performance opportunities in his home state and Philadelphia before making the leap to New York City in 2006. Since then, he has solidified his status as a sought-after sideman, as well as a formidable bandleader and recording artist.
His latest release, Pivot Point (2025, Posi-Tone), captures a moment of transformation—reaffirming his deep roots in the straight-ahead tradition while exploring new musical territory with rhythmic clarity and compositional depth. Joined by trusted collaborators including saxophonist Willie Morris, pianist Jon Davis, bassist Boris Kozlov, and drummers Rudy Royston and Jason Tiemann, Gillece delivers a focused, expressive set that reflects a renewed artistic momentum.
From 2009 to 2013, Gillece co-led four transformative recordings on Posi-Tone with tenor saxophonist Ken Fowser, garnering international acclaim and extensive streaming and radio play. His albums as a leader—including Mindset (2015), Dare To Be (2016), Walk Of Fire (2017), Parallel Universe (2018), Still Doing Our Thing (2021), Between The Bars (2023), and Stick Together (2024)—propelled him into the spotlight, earning him a 2018 DownBeat Rising Star award. Additionally, Gillece has lent his talents as a sideman to various acclaimed recordings, collaborating with artists such as Altin Sencalar, Willie Morris, Patrick Cornelius, Michael Dease, Walt Weiskopf, Melody Gardot, Idle Hands, Out To Dinner, and Ensemble Novo.
Gillece has performed at prestigious venues around the world, including Lincoln Center, the Kennedy Center, Kimmel Center, Smalls Jazz Club, Mezzrow, Jazz Standard, Side Door, Smoke Jazz Club, Fat Cat, Yoshi's, and Chris’ Jazz Cafe, as well as renowned festivals such as North Sea, Montreux, Nice, Molde, Ghent, Montreal, and Toronto.
In addition to his robust performance life, Gillece also has a burgeoning career as a music educator. He is a member of the faculty at Rowan University, where he teaches vibraphone, jazz ensemble, music theory, and online courses. In addition to the various workshops he has been asked to give at colleges and universities across the world, he has prepared over 800 lessons for online instruction on vibesworkshop.com, which benefits percussion students internationally.
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Dino Saluzzi, Behn Gillece, Ben Clifton, Aruán Ortiz, Karl Evangelista’s Apura
by Cheryl K.
During this week's two-hour program of jazz and improvised music, new music from bandoneonist Dino Saluzzi; vibraphonists Behn Gillece and Mike Freeman; vocalist Dara Starr Tucker; pianists Ben Clifton and Aruán Ortiz; and guitarist Karl Evangelista's Apura. Playlist Alice Coltrane “Rama Katha" from Kirtan: Turiya Sings (Impulse!) 11:42 Ashley Jackson “Radhye-Shyam" from Take Me to the Water (Decca) 5:38 Dino Saluzzi “Tiempos de Ausencias (Times of Absence)" from El Viejo Caminante (ECM) 4:26 Oscar Peterson “Soft Wind" from ...
Continue ReadingNew Music From Gillece, Thompson, Crotty And More
by Bob Osborne
On this show a selection of the best in brand new releases plus reissued material from Billy Harper, Cecil Taylor & Tony Oxley, and Ivo Perelman. To close two tracks from the legendary Ornette Coleman.Playlist Behn Gillece “Haymaker" from Pivot Point (Posi-tone Records) 00:00 Mike Thompson “May (feat. Mike Caudill, Mark Shilansky & Dan Rosenthal)" from 6th Avenue (Hexproof Records) 05:13 George Crotty Trio “Heart Music" from Heart Music (Self Released) 15:51 Alchemy Sound Project performs the music ...
Continue ReadingBehn Gillece: Pivot Point
by David A. Orthmann
Anyone who has listened to at least some of the Posi-Tone releases from the past several years will recognize the personnel on Pivot Point: vibraphonist Behn Gillece 's eighth date as a leader. Tenor/soprano saxophonist Willie Morris,, pianist Jon Davis, bassist Boris Kozlov and drummers Rudy Royston and Jason Tiemann have made substantial contributions to many of the label's projects situated in various points in the jazz mainstream. To put it bluntly, these guys are incapable of phoning it in. ...
Continue ReadingBehn Gillece: Pivot Point
by Carl Medsker
Posi-Tone will have released 253 albums in its post-bop contemporary mainstream jazz space with Pivot Point by Behn Gillece. Maintaining freshness and avoiding formula could become a creative challenge for any such productive label, but Gillece avoids that potential pitfall through well-written songs, crafty arrangements and excellent musicianship. The sequencing of songs is also thoughtful, varying in meter, style and emotion. Pivot Point is sufficiently complex and intelligent to warrant multiple listenings, but is simultaneously lots of fun.
Continue ReadingBehn Gillece, Charles Chen, Greg Murphy, Masha Campagne and more
by Benjamin Boddie
Today's Music--Right Now! Fantastic music by Behn Gillece, Charles Chen, Greg Murphy, Masha Campagne, Brad Turner, Saul Dautch, Greg Hopkins, Sandra-Mae Lux, Mike Prigodich, Mark Masters, Tyler Henderson, Dale Fielder, Robert Turner, Jeffrey Gimble, Sean Nelson, Diego Rivera, Bill Stewart, Deborah Silver, Carlos Mena, Brandon Woody, James Moody, Cyrus Chestnut, Kandace Springs, John Clayton, Sharel Cassity, and more. Playlist Behn Gillece “Stranded In Elizabeth 1644" from Pivot Point (Posi-Tone Records) 00:00 Charles Chen “Chang Fei, Fierce Warriors" from ...
Continue ReadingAltin Sencalar: Unleashed
by C. Andrew Hovan
Often overshadowed by other solo instruments, the trombone boasts a rich history in jazz--one so vast it could fill volumes. New Orleans, the birthplace of jazz, also gave rise to Kid Ory, a pioneer of the “tailgate" style of trombone playing. In the early 1900s, bandleaders often promoted their shows by parading through town on horse-drawn wagons. Trombonists, needing space to extend their instrument's slide, would sit at the back on the open tailgate, projecting their bold, brassy sound into ...
Continue ReadingWillie Morris: Unbound Inner
by David A. Orthmann
Willie Morris's third release as a leader for Posi-Tone opens with the haunting “Flyover Country," which only includes the leader's tenor saxophone and pianist Jon Davis. Combining improvisation and Morris's earnest, subdued theme, the two-minute 25-second gem doesn't declare any particular stylistic allegiance, nor does it clamor for attention. Instead, Morris's and Davis's partnership evokes a pristine stillness and wistful melancholy yet is purposeful enough to get under one's skin. The track is a refreshing, counterintuitive way to launch a ...
Continue ReadingEnter the "Ken Fowser and Behn Gillece - Top Shelf" Giveaway at All About Jazz!
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All About Jazz
All About Jazz members are invited to enter the Posi-Tone Records “Ken Fowser and Behn Gillece - Top Shelf“ giveaway contest starting today. We'll select FIVE winners at the conclusion of the contest on January 28th. Click here to enter the contest (Becoming a fan of Behn Gillece at AAJ automatically enters you in the contest.) Good luck! Your Friends at Posi-Tone Records About Top Shelf We're only serving up the best, when the strong blend of tenor ...
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Ken Fowser/Behn Gillece - Duotone (2011)
Source:
Something Else!
Last year we investigated a strong post-bop excursion by the potent, up-and-coming partnership of tenor saxophonist Ken Fowser and vibraphonist Behn Gillece. Little Echo (2010) swung like mad and put into sharp focus the tight rapport of Fowser and Gillece that is at the center of their post-bop achievements. Continuing what seems to becoming tradition for the duo, the rhythm section is entirely swapped out from the prior record, yet the momentum is maintained. For this outing, Donald Vega mans ...
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Ken Fowser and Behn Gillece - Little Echo (2010)
Source:
Something Else!
By PicoIt's not unusual at all for the tenor sax and the vibraphone to appear on the same jazz record; we've heard these on countless jazz recordings. But by co-leading a record, saxophonist Ken Fowser and vibraphonist Behn Gillece gives us fairly rare opportunity to hear both instruments as the two lead voices sharing equal billing. Little Echo, which went on sale last Tuesday, is in fact the second album by this emerging duo, Full View being their ...
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Ken Fowser/Behn Gillece Quintet at Chris' Jazz Cafe on April 11, 2009
Source:
All About Jazz
The Ken Fowser/Behn Gillece Quintet, will have a CD release party for their debut CD Full View, on April 11, 2009, at Chris' Jazz Cafe.
Ken Fowser/Behn Gillece Quintet Ken Fowser - tenor Behn Gillece - vibes Jeremy Manasia - piano Adam Cote - bass Jason Brown - drums
April 11, 2009 Sets starting @ 8 & 10 PM Chris' Jazz Cafe ...
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Ken Fowser/Behn Gillece Quintet at Smalls on March 26, 2009
Source:
All About Jazz
The Ken Fowser/Behn Gillece Quintet, will have a CD release party for their debut CD Full View, on March 26, 2009, at Smalls Jazz Club.
Ken Fowser/Behn Gillece Quintet Ken Fowser - tenor Behn Gillece - vibes David Hazeltine - piano Adam Cote - bass Jason Brown - drums
Smalls Jazz Club 183 West 10th Street New York, NY Sets @ 9PM ...
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“His talents, as amply demonstrated on his most recent release, Walk of Fire (Posi- Tone, 2017) are propelling him into the realm of modern vibraphone greats, such as Joe Locke, and historic giants such as Bobby Hutcherson.” Paul Rauch, All About Jazz
Primary Instrument
Vibraphone
Location
Philadelphia
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Brian Betz & Behn Gillece Quartet
Downtown Rehoboth Beach / Boardwalk Plaza HotelRehoboth Beach, DE
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Behn Gillece
Location: Philadelphia
Instrument: Vibraphone
Born: February 9, 1982
