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Dillon Vado

@dillonvado

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Drummer, Vibraphonist and Bandleader, Oakland CA
Co-leading @heartmattersounds
@bluehausmalletshop @marimbaone Artist.
Photography at @dillonphodo

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Like sands through the hourglass…….⏳🌀✨

Oh s*** it’s almost Christmas.

No, but really, time has been flying by. So grateful for the many celebrations, adventures, and new beginnings (planned and sometimes forced 😅) that color this time. 🍂🍃

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Exploring up-tempo 9/4 in my piano solo on my original, modern “remix” arrangement, inspired by Wayne Shorter’s beautiful 3/4 ballad, “Iris”. Watch the full show, link in bio! 🎥

And come out next Thursday, October 15th to see us perform @mrtipplessf ! Tickets and more info in bio ⬇️🎫

Michael Echaniz - Piano 🎹
Jeff Denson - Electric Bass 🎸
@jeffdensonmusic
Dillon Vado - Drum set 🥁
@dillonvado

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#music
#jazz
#jazzfusion
#oddmeter
#prog

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Flying through “Footprints” with @jeffdensonmusic and @dillonvado ! Catch us at our next Wayne Shorter tribute show at @mrtipplessf on Thursday, 10/15, sets at 7pm and 8:30pm, tickets in bio! ⬆️🎫

Watch the full recording of this show, linked in bio! 🎥

Music by the late, great @wayneshorterofficial 🎷
This arrangement of “Footprints” by @terence_blanchard 🎺

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#jazz
#jazzfusion
#piano
#backbeat
#bayareamusic

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Thrilled to bring my new Wayne Shorter program to @mrtipplessf on Thursday, October 15, sets at 7pm and 8:30pm! Mark your calendars, ticket links in bio! ⬆️

Michael Echaniz - Piano, synth 🎹🎛️
Jeff Denson - Electric bass, voice 🎸
@jeffdensonmusic
Dillon Vado - Drum set 🥁
@dillonvado

Dedicated to the late, great @wayneshorterofficial ! 🎷

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#music
#jazz
#jazzfusion
#wayneshorter
#sfmusic

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Had a blast performing my new Wayne Shorter trio set last Friday at a sold-out show @csma_mv with @jeffdensonmusic and @dillonvado ! More footage coming soon! Look out for our next show on Thursday, October 15th in SF, more details coming soon! 🎹🎸🥁🎶

Concert dedicated to the music of the late, great @wayneshorterofficial .

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#music
#jazz
#jazzfusion
#wayneshorter
#siliconvalley

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Working on a new 9/4 groove with @jeffdensonmusic and @dillonvado ! Come see us perform on Friday, September 4th in Mountain View, CA! Free show, doors at 7pm, RSVP link in bio ⬆️🎹🎸🥁🎶

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#jazz
#jazzfusion
#oddmeter
#prog
#bayareamusic

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Powered by momentum and f*** it energy! ⚡️

Meet our producer Bruce Kaphan, a true master of production and music (to say the least). He is just as much a member of Heart Matter as we are at this point and we are BEYOND LUCKY to be in his company.

We sat down between bouts of recording this weekend to talk about the intricate, labor intensive, and highly gratifying journey of making a record. A journey that we’re very much traversing right now!

Here’s a little glimpse into our world and how our recording process started in 2025.

We promise that music is on the wayyyy! 👀💜

Shout out to @lukasbrianvesely @schwartzdrums510 @housecallrecording and of course @2200studios for making all of this possible as well. 🙏

#behindthemusic #indieband #vibraphone #heartmatter #brucekaphan

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Songs are timeless healing portals🎶

“Out of water” came to me one summer afternoon. There was a palpable feeling of stress circulating through my body that needed release.

So I composed the healing balm I needed. Speaking to the intensity of the moment and a very human request for pause.

With the galloping pace of 2026, I certainly could use a respite.

I’ve decided that songs like this one deserve another moment, so I’m excited to share all things “vintage” and new on Friday 9/11 at @thesoundroomoakland !

Featuring:
@williamjohnstonbohrer 🎸
@lukasbrianvesely 🎻
@davidjaydrums 🥁
Geechi Taylor 🎺
+ me 🦋

Hope to see you there! 🩷🌊

@hristovitchev & @dillonvado featured here ⬆️🙏✨ video by @soulandjazz

#oakland #vocals #jazz #liveperformance

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Sound speaks ✨

Just yesterday we were reflecting on the power of sound in the Heart Matter journey. From the start, it’s been a finding of our footing in the dance of voice & vibraphone.

This sometimes gentle, sometimes fierce combination of textures and tones is less well-matched than you’d think. Every arrangement requires serious harmonic and melodic choreography on Dillon’s part. How does he even do it?! How can we dance without stepping on each other’s toes?

In this refinement process, it’s really been the sound guiding us forward…creating the sonic palate and emotional space we want to live in.

This record we’re making continues to illuminate the beauty and complexity of what we’ve gotten ourselves into. And we wouldn’t have it any other way. 🥲

Music coming soooooooon 💜

#vibraphone #heartmatter #vocals #indieband #singlerelease

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Last call to hear these amazing ladies @danigurgel and @deboragurgelmusic with @sidielvieira and @dillonvado along with guests @natcressman and @jcressbone and myself in San Francisco tonight at @keysjazzbistro one show only at 7:00! #sambajazz #musicapopularbrasileira #bayarealatinjazz #famíliamusical

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We’re likely …. staring at a computer screen in Niles! 😵‍💫

It’s been A LOT of recording, listening, and analyzing waveforms for hours. This record making process has been like a masters degree.

Working alongside our producer Bruce (whom we call “the wizard”) means considering the details more deeply than we could have ever imagined. As Bruce says, an effective recording is one that captures the kernel of the song - which often feels as simple as capturing lightning in a bottle. It means preparing deeply and also opening oneself to spontaneity and the unknown. A subtle, beautiful art.

First single coming in a few weeks! We’re curious…where do you listen to music these days?

#jonimitchell #vibraphone #voice #indieband #singlerelease

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