Gust William Tsilis, pronounced “chill-us”, was born in Chicago’s South Side on April 14, 1961. He is most well-known as a vibraphonist, marimba player, and also plays piano and guitar. His greatest musical influences were Miles Davis and Miles Davis. Tsilis spent a short time in Ann Arbor, MI. He enrolled at Huron High School and then returned to Chicagoland, where he attended Reavis High School in Burbank. After graduation from Rich East High School, Park Forest, IL, he moved back to Ann Arbor. Tsilis spent another brief time in Ann Arbor before he moved to New York City as a student at Berklee School of Music. Tsilis was a pianist and played percussion instruments. However, it wasn’t until 1985 that Tsilis began playing mallets. Tsilis met Arthur Blythe, an alto saxophonist who was his mentor and became a frequent collaborator over the years. Elvin Jones was also a huge fan. His first album, Pale Fire, was released in 1986. It featured Anthony Cox, Horacee Arnold and Blythe. He has also worked with Joe Lovano and Billy Hart, as well as Anthony Cox, Joey Horner, Herb Robertson and Jack DeJohnette. From 1986 to 1999, he spent a lot of time managing Visiones, a progressive jazz club in New York City. Tsilis also held the position of A manager.
