Lynn Willard – A gifted pianist, organist, keyboardist & synthesist / performer, composer/arr. & teacher has an illustrious background in many styles. Currently living in S.D. since ’92, he is a co-founder and original member of ESP, the versatile Miles Davis inspired quintet which was formed around it’s core trio of players, all moving from Iowa to California at various times in the ’70′s! This band continues today, 16 yrs. later, to make exciting widely varied music, with Lynn playing piano & synth. Since its’ inception & ESP regularly performs at Dizzy’s in downtown S.D.

Lynn’s other group activities include Warren Lovell’s 10 pc. little big band, Big Time Operator, and Evona Wascinski’s’ Escencia’ 4tet. In a duo setting Lynn has accompanied many local jazz singers like Tokeli Mushovic, Sacha Boutros & Amelia Browning. In trio’s, Lynn has played w/Gary LeFebvre & Bob Magnussen, Jesse Davis & Pat Burke, John Walters & Jim Weiss.

Lynn is also known for his latin abilities, playing Cuban, Brazilian, and Caribbean. He’s played on 13 CD projects & 3 of his most recent sessions were w/Steve Feierabend, Jack Costanzo & Russell Bizzett. His other latin small group recordings included Glen Fisher’s Con Alma and Gomango Invasion & also the Brazilian jazz project Band w/Mario Raposo. Lynn was also a later member of Storm, Jaime Valle’s Eqinox and Bill Caballero’s eSoeS Orchestra & the binational mambo Orchestra as well as Gilbert Castellanos’ Latin Trumpet Summit and latin quintet. He’s also been featured on Dave Scott & Bill Shreeve’s latest recordings. For the last year he has collaborated w/the daring alto sax player-Nate Souders, who’s mad computer skills have helped produce a new ccollection of tunes written on a mac Powerbook w/Logic.