Extraordinary Music - Drums by Bilal

Bilal “Magic Stix” Whitest

Drummer

Born in Queens, New York

He is deeply rooted in Funk, Jazz, Gospel, and R & B

Bilal’s musical experience began at the age of 3, playing at various churches throughout the state of New York. Answering his call to the music industry, Bilal (at the tender age of 9 years old), began playing, recording and touring the U.S. with his step-father’s gospel group, The Thrashing Wonders.

In junior high school, Bilal was introduced to jazz, classical music and marching bands, by his band director. In high school, his love for music grew and he joined the high school concert band & jazz & soul emsemble directed by Martin Moser & Fred Kelly. After seeing how talented Bilal was, he decided to enter him in the all city high school band, which performed at the world famous Carnegie Hall in New York City. Finally, Bilal formed a marching band, a jazz and soul group that he performed with throughout his high school years. Bilal also played in the Drum Corp. with the N.Y. Warriors, & N.Y. Lancers. After completing high school, Bilal decided to further his education so he attended the Johnny Colon School of Music in Harlem, NY. He studied Latin jazz under the direction of Sonny Bravo. He also attended the Harlem School of the Arts and studied classical music and played timpani.

Bilal continued his musical education at Long Island University, where he studied music education and drumming with Keith Copeland, drummer for Billy Taylor & Brain Brake of the Broadway play “Smokey Joe’s Café, Dream Girls and Sam Ulano. Bilal studied under Bill Saxon, Phil Markowitz, Clyde Criner (bassist) and a host of others. He was an assistant to the band director in the Jersey City public school system for 5 years. He also had the pleasure of teaching a 125 piece marching band.

At this vital stage in Bilal’s life, he was now ready to create his own music. He formed his own R & B and funk group called “Kharizma” He wrote, played and recorded with various groups that performed in several clubs in the metropolitan area of New York. During this time with his group, Bilal met Jerome Rodgers, a keyboardist for George Clinton and was given the opportunity to write, play and record with him. Jerome opened doors to the world of funk for Bilal; he introduced him to what was called at that time, pocket drumming. Bilal was honored to perform with R & B artists such as James Brown, The Fat Back Band, The Manhattans, The Coasters, Main Ingredients, Mike Campbell (guitarist) for Faith Evans and Leroy Burgess of Black Ivory and a host of others. He also had the pleasure of performing with jazz artist Peter Yellin (saxophonist) for Manhattan Tranfer, Miles Davis, Stanley Turrentine, Jimmy ' Preacher' Robinson, Victor Davis ( keyboardist & musical director) for Millie Jackson, Edwin Birdson, keyboardist with Stevie Wonder, Bill Saxon ( saxophonist), Ed Cherry (guitarist), Ron Richardson (bassist) for Phyllis Hyman. Bilal’s performance with gospel artists Ann Sinclair off Broadway play, ‘Mama I Want To Sing’, was outstanding, he also performed with The Blind Boys of Mississippi, Rev. Ike, Cissy Houston, Rev. Claude Geeda, The L.A. Community Choir, Shirley Caesar and so many, many more.

Bilal went on to perform at many clubs in Harlem and became the drummer for ‘The Apollo House Rockets’ at the world famous Apollo Theater in New York City. Bilal is presently and has been for several years performing at the famous Cotton Club. Bilal is a professional, dedicated and brilliant performer, now working with Terry Burrus, and loves challenges. Terry Burrus (keyboardist) is an independent artist who performed and recorded with Michael Jackson, Janet Jackson, Toni Braxton, Chaka Kahn, Mariah Carey, Phyllis Hyman, Lional Hampton, Lena Horne, Harlem Gospel Singers and a host of others. He also attended the Harlem School of the arts studied classical music and timpani under the direction of Evon Gardner."

Bilal’s sentiments toward his music is “Till Death Do Us Part”

 


My early band - Thrashing Wonders


Back to Bilal main page


Come listen to my music - Magic Stix


Back to Bilal main page