Concert Review: Killiam Shakespeare

August 26, 2016

On Tuesday night, music fans poured into Philadelphia's Silk City Diner for the monthly music showcase Beat Street Jam, and mixtape release show for the Philadelphia-based band Killiam Shakespeare. Killiam Shakespeare is a collective of musicians and artists that have spent  much of their individual careers supporting artists such as Jill Scott, Bilal, Adele, Robert Glasper, Jazzmine Sullivan, Ariana Grande, and more. But, with the formation of Killiam Shakespeare these artists decided to take their talents and pour them into their own work, putting their music first. 

Throughout the night the 11-piece band (and sometimes more than that), performed new music from their mixtape, as well as doing some covers with the help of Aaron Camper, Jermaine Holmes - of D'Angelo and The Vanguard - and Jakeya Sanders on vocals; as well as an appearance from rapper, Val Strasser.

Philadelphia is experiencing a musical renaissance, and Killiam is right in the middle of it.

In the spirit of Jazz, Killiam prides itself on improvisation, melodic chord progressions, and skillful musical dexterity. Killiam's appeal is in their ability to take a Jazz standard like Chick Corea's Spain, over a trap beat. Killiam's music represents the wide music pallet of Philadelphia - Jazz, Hip-Hop, R&B, Rock, Trap and more. Philadelphia is experiencing a musical renaissance, and Killiam is right in the middle of it. 

Keyboards: Corey Bernhard

Guitars: Anthony DeCarlo, Simon Martinez

Bass: Dre Pinckney 

Drums: Steve McKie

Percussion: Aaron Draper 

Trumpet: Christopher Stevens 

Saxophone: Henry Tirfe