Billy Hart
b. 29 January 1940, Washington, USA. Hart is a self-taught drummer. In the early '60s he worked with Shirley Horn (vocals) and briefly with the Montgomery Brothers. In 1966 he joined Jimmy Smith and in 1968 moved on to the band of Wes Montgomery. He played with the Herbie Hancock sextet (1969-73), with McCoy Tyner (1973-74) and then with Stan Getz(1974-77). Throughout the '70s and '80s Hart has been a busy freelance drummer who could provide a crisp, driving, beat or a much looser accompaniment depending on the situation. He has played with Miles Davis, Clark Terry, Lee Konitz, Chico Freeman, James Newton (flute), Larry Coryell, John Handy and Dave Liebman.