The Philly-based collective Killiam Shakespeare is a little hard to categorize, and they're happy about that. Drummer Steve McKie and keyboardist Corey Bernhard say their sound is a seamless blend of jazz, rock, hip-hop and other modern vibrations — styles they picked up while backing genre-blurring artists like Bilal, Talib Kweli, and Questlove, among others.
Hear them describe their unique sound on another edition of The Checkout series My Music.
The band signed to Philly-based jazz indie label Ropeadope Records two years ago, first putting out their self-titled debut; then a self-explanatory EP, A Killiam Shakespeare Christmas; and most recently a mixtape, Killiam Season 1, in collaboration with DJ Jazzy Jeff.
As the world gears-up for the epic round three matchup between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Golden State Warriors in this year's NBA Finals, hear the band's tribute to a marquee player, "Steph Curry."
Killiam Shakespeare performs at the Apollo Theater Cafe this Friday.
Produced by Sarah Geledi.
