Arland Gilliam, Jr. was born in Windsor North Carolina but moved to Atlantic City New Jersey when he was 13 years old. Just before the move, after asking his mother for a guitar on a trip she was taking to philadelphia, he had the fortunate mistake of having her bring him a bass guitar instead.
Although he had been in love with guitars since he was years old, nothing ever came of his desire to play it. That all changed when he got the bass and moved to Atlantic City. Although no one else in his family was a musician, he started playing bass and never looked back. Although he never had real bass teacher, he was fortunate enough to live near a band that he could listen too by walking to the house they were rehearsing in and listening at the door. Eventually he met and became friends with one or two of the band members, although he bass player wasn't one of them. Long story short, in 3 years, he became the bass player for that band.
Many of Arland's early playing experiences were in the local R&B clubs of Atlantic City. He also got to play a wider variety of music in the high school choir & orchestra. He also received guidance and direction from his music theory teacher, Mr. Joe Brown. Mr. Brown was very instrumental in his decision to g to college for music where he studied classical bass as his major instrument. While there in Hampton Institute in Hampton Virginia, he got to play Jazz and Classical music as well as study music theory, piano and some composition.
After college he went on the road with various show groups and eventually ended up playing in several casinos and show rooms in Atlantic City. He recently finished a 14 year stint as musical Director for a world renowned impersonator show called "Legends In Concert". At present he is freelancing, composing and writing charts and creating sequences on order for independent contractors.
Although he had been in love with guitars since he was years old, nothing ever came of his desire to play it. That all changed when he got the bass and moved to Atlantic City. Although no one else in his family was a musician, he started playing bass and never looked back. Although he never had real bass teacher, he was fortunate enough to live near a band that he could listen too by walking to the house they were rehearsing in and listening at the door. Eventually he met and became friends with one or two of the band members, although he bass player wasn't one of them. Long story short, in 3 years, he became the bass player for that band.
Many of Arland's early playing experiences were in the local R&B clubs of Atlantic City. He also got to play a wider variety of music in the high school choir & orchestra. He also received guidance and direction from his music theory teacher, Mr. Joe Brown. Mr. Brown was very instrumental in his decision to g to college for music where he studied classical bass as his major instrument. While there in Hampton Institute in Hampton Virginia, he got to play Jazz and Classical music as well as study music theory, piano and some composition.
After college he went on the road with various show groups and eventually ended up playing in several casinos and show rooms in Atlantic City. He recently finished a 14 year stint as musical Director for a world renowned impersonator show called "Legends In Concert". At present he is freelancing, composing and writing charts and creating sequences on order for independent contractors.
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