Reviewers have described his playing as 'virtuosic,' 'muscular,' and 'mellifluous.' Peter Westbrook from Jazz Review writes, 'Killian is by no means another Coltrane clone. He has a voice of his own with an almost classical sonority at times.' Performance credits with major jazz artists include Antonio Sanchez, Gene Jackson, Eric Revis, Mike Moreno, Ben Monder, and Scott Colley as well as top R&B acts like The Temptations and The Supremes. He has performed international jazz festivals such as The Montreux Jazz Festival, The Umbria Jazz Festival, and The Antibes Jazz Festival and even a Presidential Inaugural Gala. Based in New York, the Stan Killian Quartet features the dynamic Venezuelan born pianist Benito Gonzalez, whose percussive style and rich harmonic approach energizes the band's repertoire. Bassist Corcoran Holt and drummer Darrell Green swing hard with a modern sensibility, while bringing elements of space and elasticity. Killian's new album 'Unified' features his band with special guests Roy Hargrove, David Binney, and Jeremy Pelt. The album will be released May 3rd on Sunnyside Records. Originally from Texas, Killian was introduced to jazz at a young age by his father, Joe Killian, a pianist who worked with many renowned jazz artist including saxophonists Sonny Stitt, Clifford Scott, Jimmy Ford, and Don Wilkerson. Stan began his career at age 16, gigging with his father in San Antonio, and after receiving his degree from Texas State University, he traveled throughout the state, moving from Austin to Houston working with an array of bands in many styles. At age 21, he recorded 'Straight Ahead,' a swinging collection of classic jazz standards featuring his father as well as Austin jazz legends James Polk on piano and Martin Banks on trumpet. Killian's playing during this period reflects his early influences, the full-bodied tenor sounds of Coleman Hawkins and Ben Webster, the logical bebop lines and driving swing of Johnny Griffin and Dexter Gordon, as well as the mentoring of Texas jazz elders like G.T. Hogan and Marchel Ivery. In 2006, he moved to the East Coast and immediately became a top call saxophonist in the bustling Baltimore and Washington DC jazz scenes. While in the Mid Atlantic area, he studied with modern jazz masters Gary Thomas and Larry Willis. But after several successful shows in New York City, he decided to move to the Big Apple to perform original music with like minded, creative musicians. He performs regularly at jazz clubs throughout New York and the East Coast. Killian holds down a monthly show at The 55 Bar, a legendary West Village basement jazz club in Manhattan known for cultivating new artists. On June 16, the official album release for 'Unified' takes place at The Jazz Gallery. Please visit http://www.stankillian.com for more information and upcoming tour dates.