bands and projects

Here is a list of all the bands I lead, as well as  bands I play in, led by other people. I hope you enjoy browsing these various links. 
Explore!
  Dillon Vado
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My Projects

Third Light

Featuring saxophonist Sam Priven, and bassist Tyler Harlow,  Third Light plays and composes in a way that honors the collective and relational aspects of music, while retaining each member's unique voice. 

“If the Ahmad Jamal trio played Nick Drake songs”

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Never Weather

Never Weather is my newest project,  a jazz-inspired quintet that plays my original music. The songs I wrote for this group explore many genres, grooves and textures to make exciting arrangements that allow for genuine improvisations each performance. Never Weather has 5 distinct personalities within the band and strives to make music that showcases each voice of the group.
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The Table trio

Jokingly named after the thing I play which frequently gets mistaken for a table. This is a great group of mine that has allowed me the time and space to explore and improvise with some great musicians, Jeff Denson on bass and Alan Hall/Hamir Atwal on drums.
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Beyond Words: jazz and poetry

A Project that is a true collaboration between musicians and poets. Shows by this project are co-produced by myself and Poet,  Amos White, and feature a wealth of different poets and musicians. 
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Twirl me! 

A really unique collaboration between myself and three dancers. We all improvise and work together with an awareness of space, time and sound, and the end result is always something captivating and rewarding.
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as a sideman

The electric squeezebox orchestra

This is an 18-piece Big Band that plays almost exclusively original music composed by all members of the band. This is a true collective and it features the best musicians in the SF Bay Area. I was honored to record on their most recent album.
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rata-tet

This is a wonderful project led by Alan Hall. It features a unique instrumentation of Bassoon, Trombone, and Vibes in the front line, Piano, Bass, Drums in the rhythm section. Alan's voice as a composer has really developed over the life of this band and is a must-hear treat!
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