‘Like Jazz Telling Jokes:’ Brilliantly Funny, Piano-Playing Comedian Billy D. Washington

Billy D. Washington performs March 11 at the Diana Wortham Theatre.

By John Ellis

From cop to comic” is one way to describe how Billy D. Washington embarked on his multi-faceted showbiz career, as his five years as a Houston policeman provided a springboard into the world of philosophical and observational comedy on stage. A top-notch stand-up comedian and headliner, Billy D. Washington is also an enormously talented musician, incorporating his deft keyboard playing skills into his comedy act. Aretha Franklin remarked, “Billy is like jazz telling jokes;” after seeing Billy perform once, The Queen of Soul hired him on the spot to tour with her nationwide for three years as her opening act.

Throughout his career, Billy D. Washington has performed as a headliner in hundreds of comedy clubs, colleges, and corporate events, leading to his national acknowledgement as a dynamic performer. His clever but quirky approach to his observations of society combined with his undeniable skill as a pianist has made him a formidable and diverse force in the world of stand-up comedy.

Billy D. Washington’s original songs, parodies, poems and comedy routine
have landed him on the nationally syndicated The Bob and Tom Show,
HBO’s Aspen Comedy Festival and Def Comedy Jam, Comedy Central’s Premium
Blend, on VH-1 as a host and on-air personality, The Late, Late Show
with Craig Ferguson, and Last Comic Standing.

In 2008 Billy D. Washington was identified as one of the most diverse
comedians in America by NBC Universal’s “Stand-Up for Diversity”
initiative, and in 2010 he was nominated for the “Characters Unite
Award” on the USA Network for his creation of the critically acclaimed
S.E.L.L.O.U.T. Comedy Tour, a group of talented black comedians who
challenge America to resolve racial differences one joke at a time.

Billy is particularly committed to reaching young people with the
S.E.L.L.O.U.T. vision. “Each one of the performers on this tour has been
accused of being a sellout to our race, our culture, and our
profession,” says Billy. “College shows are our favorites because we
believe this country’s future leaders should know that the only
standards they should live by are the ones they set for themselves.”

Billy D. Washington recently completed writing and producing the film
Bob – The Urban Legend of Comedy, and secured his first international
distribution deal with BCD Distribution, the largest independent
distribution company in the country. He is currently in the process of
publishing The Crooked Smile, a collection of essays and short stories
ranging from dark comedy to light observational rants on society,
encouraging people to not just laugh but to also think, finding the
obscure comedic nuances in the simplicities of life.

The Diana Wortham Theatre at Pack Place in downtown Asheville continues
its 2010/2011 Mainstage Series with comedian Billy D. Washington,
Friday, March 11 at 8 p.m. For more information or to purchase tickets
(Regular $30; Seniors $28; Students $25; Student Rush day-of-the-show
with valid ID $10), call the theatre’s box office at (828) 257-4530 or
visit www.dwtheatre.com.