James Lloyd


For over three decades, keyboardist, composer and arranger James K. Lloyd has been the aural architect of Pieces of a Dream. As a co-founder of the group, Lloyd composed and co-wrote over 100 compositions, from the '80's summer anthem “Mount Airy Groove” to “Love's Silhoutte.” Born in Philadelphia on August 30, 1964, Lloyd starting playing piano at the age six. A graduate of Philadelphia's High School of Performing Arts, Lloyd was inspired to take up the instrument when his older brother started playing it. LLoyd was classically trained by an 89 year-old piano teacher who exposed him Beethoven, Tchaikovsky and Mozart. He was also heavily influenced by the great keyboardists, Ramsey Lewis, Oscar Peterson, Art Tatum, Larry Dunn, Chick Corea and Bud Powell. 
In 1975, Lloyd met drummer Curtis Harmon and bassist Cedric Napoleon. They performed all over Philadelphia as Classic Touch, A Touch of Class and Galaxy. Inspired by Stanley Turrentine's “Pieces of Dreams,” The trio changed their name to Pieces of a Dream in 1979. They were discovered by Grover Washington, Jr. when POAD performed on a popular TV show, City Lights. Washington and POAD performed Washington's hit, “Mister Magic” at Philadelphia's Bijou Cafe (where Washington recorded Live at the Bijou). Washington produced POAD's first three recordings Pieces of a Dream, We Are One and Imagine This. 
Throughout POAD's label and personnel changes, James K. Lloyd's dazzling piano technique, inventive synthesizer programming and leadership have signatured POAD’s soulful sound. In the future, Lloyd, now based in Ohio, plans to produce some neo-soul, hip-hop and R&B recordings. As a performer, writer or producer, the artistry of James K. Lloyd is the foundation of POAD. 

James Lloyd began taking piano lessons at age 6. Being classically trained, he was first introduced to jazz at age 12. Other interests include cooking and martial arts.
He holds a 1st degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do, a green sash in Lama Kung Fu, and has also trained in Wing Chun Kung Fu. James is a true workaholic. When he's not on the road playing music, he's in his home studio writing music.
Artists James has written, co-written and produced for include: the late, Wayman Tisdale, Walter Beasley, Najee, Alexander Zonjic, Nestor Torres, Jeff Kashiwa, Nick Colionne, Eric Darius, Hiroshima, Gail Jhonson, Gordon James, oh, and Pieces Of A Dream.
You may also find James on CD's from Phyllis Hyman, Regina Belle, Loose Ends, Eddie Murphy, Ornette Coleman, and the late, great, Grover Washington Jr.

James Lloyd in the news

	Contemporary Jazz Flutist Alexander Zonjic Motors Back Onto The Scene (11/10/2020)
	Contemporary Jazz Flutist Alexander Zonjic Plays It Forward On Suped Up New Album (20/08/2020)
	Contemporary Jazz/R&B Legends Pieces Of A Dream, Announce Their Mentorship And Collaboration With 12-year Old Piano Prodigy, Justin-Lee Schultz (28/10/2019)
	Saxophonist Steve Cole's Entrancing "Mirage" Poised To Top The Billboard Chart (20/07/2016)
	"Turn It Up!": Saxman Steve Cole Previews New Album With The Mesmerizing "Mirage" (07/06/2016)
	It's A Classic Tale: The Musical Journey Of Tracy Hamlin (10/07/2009)
	Junior M.A.F.I.A. Members Charged With Attempted Murder (14/08/2001)