[jerome Gillespie Jr. Quartet] at Five Spot Jazz

Jerome Gillespie Jr. - Drums
Jazz’s newest enigma, who goes by the moniker of Jerome Gillespie Jr., is a multi-talented musician, drummer, composer, bandleader, and teacher who is at the fulcrum of an evolving jazz scene. Taught in Houston by Craig Green, Joel Fulgham, and Sebastian Whittaker, Jerome Gillespie, Jr. is a very different and uniquely wired musician who isn’t afraid to break the rules and push the boundaries of our perception with his deeply layered and well-crafted syncopated rhythms. Born and raised in Houston, Texas, he later attended music conservatory schools The New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music, and later transferred and graduated from the Manhattan School of Music. His drive, focus, and tenacity will lead him to become a relentless and emerging force in the independent circuit. Jerome Gillespie, Jr. is making music that is driven by a desire to motivate, inspire, and tell his story his way. Jerome grew up as a musically inclined child going to church, where his god-mother, Theola Booker, a well-known educator, and gospel composer was the minister of music. He also attended Johnston Middle School (now Meyerland Middle School) and Houston’s High School for the Performing and Visual Arts (HSPVA). Music is the vehicle by which he expresses himself. He has always been fascinated with instruments and the amazing way in which performing can touch and move people. He makes music that draws from his experiences and by using his musical acumen he articulates stories, emotions, and shared perspectives that will connect with audiences across the spectrum through his intricate drumming and innovative sounds. Jerome Gillespie, Jr. combines various unique and experimental elements from across genres as well as his own ideas resulting in Jazz-centered fusions that are still firmly stitched together by emotive undertones. Jerome Gillespie, Jr. has worked with legends such as Reggie Workman,...

read more

Jerome Gillespie Jr. - Drums
Jazz’s newest enigma, who goes by the moniker of Jerome Gillespie Jr., is a multi-talented musician, drummer, composer, bandleader, and teacher who is at the fulcrum of an evolving jazz scene. Taught in Houston by Craig Green, Joel Fulgham, and Sebastian Whittaker, Jerome Gillespie, Jr. is a very different and uniquely wired musician who isn’t afraid to break the rules and push the boundaries of our perception with his deeply layered and well-crafted syncopated rhythms. Born and raised in Houston, Texas, he later attended music conservatory schools The New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music, and later transferred and graduated from the Manhattan School of Music. His drive, focus, and tenacity will lead him to become a relentless and emerging force in the independent circuit. Jerome Gillespie, Jr. is making music that is driven by a desire to motivate, inspire, and tell his story his way. Jerome grew up as a musically inclined child going to church, where his god-mother, Theola Booker, a well-known educator, and gospel composer was the minister of music. He also attended Johnston Middle School (now Meyerland Middle School) and Houston’s High School for the Performing and Visual Arts (HSPVA). Music is the vehicle by which he expresses himself. He has always been fascinated with instruments and the amazing way in which performing can touch and move people. He makes music that draws from his experiences and by using his musical acumen he articulates stories, emotions, and shared perspectives that will connect with audiences across the spectrum through his intricate drumming and innovative sounds. Jerome Gillespie, Jr. combines various unique and experimental elements from across genres as well as his own ideas resulting in Jazz-centered fusions that are still firmly stitched together by emotive undertones. Jerome Gillespie, Jr. has worked with legends such as Reggie Workman,
Frank Lacy, Bobby Watson, Valery Ponomarev, Mark Gross, and Antonio Hart and he cites them as the pivotal influences in his music. This all culminates in Jerome Gillespie, Jr. producing an enjoyable, and easygoing musical experience that is authentic and grounded in reality. His overarching ambition is to empower people through his gift. He is driven by the desire to share emotion through music and to impact lives in a positive way. Jerome Gillespie, Jr. released his latest single dubbed “The Gift of Brotherhood” which will showcase his distinct style, taking listeners on a journey through various emotions and bringing them to a place where they can escape the world and be lost in the music. His upcoming projects will highlight his passion and love for music as an art form. He explores various themes by delving deeper into the emotions that encompass the human psyche. The talented Percussionist and Composer is here to reshape and leave an indelible mark in the industry.

Patrick Hill - Alto Saxophone
Patrick Hill is an American Alto Saxophonist, Woodwind Instrumentalist, Arranger, and Composer. As a native of Dallas, Texas, he grew up under the mentorship of critically acclaimed Alto Saxophonist, Brad Leali. He completed his Undergraduate studies at the University of North Texas with a Bachelors in Jazz Performance. While studying at UNT, Patrick had the opportunity to learn in various ensembles including the UNT Latin Jazz Ensemble under direction of Jose Aponté, The 3 O’Clock Lab Band under direction of Tanya Darby, and the Grammy Nominated 1 O’Clock Lab Band under the direction of Alan Baylock. He has had the pleasure of performing as a sideman and bandleader with several revered musicians such as the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, Michael Bublè, Ben Wolfe, Wycliffe Gordon, Kenny Werner, and Kirk Whalum to name only a few. He obtained his Masters Degree in Jazz Performance at Temple University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania under the mentorship of members of the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, Dick Oatts and Terrell Stafford as well as Tim Warfield Jr. After graduation he proceeded to tour with Michael Bublé traveling to many different countries. He recently completed an Artist diploma degree at the Juilliard School and currently resides in the New York City area working in many different avenues as a performer and educator.
His goal is to present a unique sound to the general and musical public that pays homage to the previous innovators of this music while moving forward his own perception of melody, soul, and swing to bring forth a sense of community.

Wilfie Williams - Piano
Described as an “exceptional player nestled in the NYC scene loaded with talent, purpose and poignancy”, (Julian Joseph OBE, BBC Radio 3), British pianist Wilfie Williams is a fresh voice in New York. He performs with Stacy Dillard, Josh Evans, Tyreek McDole and many more, as well as leading his own groups. Wilfie aims to share his art to "bring people together with a love of groove, melody and musical conversation".
He fell in love with music as a young child, distinctly remembering the sounds of Steely Dan, Wes Montgomery and Miles Davis. Playing the piano turned from a hobby to a passion at age 13, when Wilfie began traveling to London to learn from master musicians Julian Joseph, Trevor Watkis, Byron Wallen and Tony Kofi at the Julian Joseph Jazz Academy.
After performing at the London Jazz Festival aged only 16, Wilfie was awarded a full scholarship to Berklee College of Music in Boston. There he had the opportunity to study with more world class artists; NEA Jazz Master JoAnne Brackeen, Terri Lyne Carrington, Ralph Peterson Jr, Tia Fuller and Billy Kilson, among others. Whilst at Berklee, Wilfie was privileged to perform with both Tia and Ralph in their bands, at venues such as Dizzy’s Club and the DC Jazz Festival. Ralph’s Gen-Next Big Band went on to win the 2021 Downbeat Award for Rising Star Big Band, with Wilfie arranging and remotely recording the final piece by the band during the pandemic.
Since moving to New York City in 2021, Wilfie has made it a point to seek out the musical legends who live in there. He has shared the stage with artists like Lonnie Plaxico, Stacy Dillard, Steve Wilson, Bill Saxton, Frank Lacy, Josh Evans and Dezron Douglas. ​
He holds the belief that learning through these experiences is an education that can't be bought. Wilfie leads his own groups, playing regularly in NYC and beyond. He believes composition is essential to his vision, and performs his own tunes with trio and larger ensembles. He also enjoys writing and arranging for others, via commission or music directing for ensembles he is a part of.

Guillermo Lopez - Bass
Guillermo Lopez is a musician based in New York City, originally from El Paso, Texas. Winner of the International Society of Bassists competition in 2025, he is an eclectic musician whose focus is on the double bass performing jazz but is very well versed in Latin, fusion, funk, and pop styles on the electric bass as well. Guillermo has performed alongside world-class jazz artists such as Ulysses Owens Jr., Kurt Elling, Helen Sung, Eric Reed, Willie Jones iii, Bradford Leali, Quincy Davis, Dianne Reeves, and he has performed at world renowned venues such as Carnegie Hall, Konzerthaus Berlin, Royal Concertgebouw, Cadogan Hall, Usher Hall, and Jazz at Lincoln Center.
He is an alumni of The Juilliard School and the University of North Texas, having studied under Ben Wolfe, Gerald Cannon, and Lynn Seaton.

show less